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If your childhood revolved around sports, like mine did, it was never a surprise that every four years brought an overwhelming rush of inspiration in the form of the Olympic Games. Like many young gymnasts, I reveled in the heart-stopping performances of the ’96 Magnificent Seven gymnastics team. At swim meets, I watched fellow competitors and wondered if any of them might one day take their place on the starting blocks next to Olympic standouts like Amanda Beard or Dara Torres.
But to reduce the Games to simply the biggest stage of athletic performance is missing the point. To train endlessly and relentlessly in pursuit of a dream—all of which boils down to a few hours, minutes, or even seconds—is not merely a physical feat. In each Olympic moment, these athletes breathe truth into nearly every earnest cliché (hard work pays off, winners never give up, no odds are insurmountable), displaying superhuman levels of discipline, focus, and character.
Take Mary Lou Retton and Micheal Phelps; or Greg Louganis and Kerri Walsh and Misty-May Treanor. These names are etched into history not because they fought in a world war or won an election, but because of their hard-fought chase to be the best at what they do. And for two weeks during each Olympics, we get to share their dream. The moments that define their lives also define our country. With each breathtaking win or gut-wrenching loss, we are moved and inspired by their visceral reactions. They make each of us believe that with complete dedication, we too, can succeed. They prove that there’s power within each of us to achieve greatness in our own lives—if we accept the challenge to push past every limit and box we had drawn for ourselves.
Roots of Our Olympic Fever
This year, the Games hold even more meaning to me. (Find out what the Olympics mean to the rest of the editors at Women’s Health!) I have had the privilege of watching the road to London up close on behalf of Women’s Health. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of the most talented athletes in our country—both accomplished medalists and hardworking hopefuls. I met Nastia Liukin, Allyson Felix, and Natalie Coughlin (all of whom share their secrets to success in our July/August issue); I’ve spent time in the pool with three-time medalist Rebecca Soni, and gleaned workout tips from Brittany Viola, who will be making her Olympic debut this summer in the 10-meter platform; the legendary 12-time medalist Dara Torres visited our office, and the inspiring seven-time Paralympic medalist Jessica Long told me about what drives her through tough moments. Each of these women—and the countless others I and the Women’s Health team have interviewed—prove that it’s not (simply) raw talent that separates an athlete from an Olympian, but rather an unrelenting passion and refusal to ever throw in the towel.
I’m not the only one at Women’s Health who’s excited. In our July/August issue you’ll find a 15-page Olympic Bonus, packed with tips and secrets from some of the most buzzed about Olympians. On our website you can click through interviews, training tips, and motivational quotes from more than 50 athletes. You’ll also score gold-medal worthy workouts, advice from athletes’ top trainers and nutritionists, and how-to videos taught by Olympians and promising hopefuls. Look for it next week at WomensHealthMag.com/Olympics. Plus, join us during the games for Twitter chats, where you’ll have a chance to win great prizes (including a trip to London!). Get reminders by signing up at WHWinningWomen.com and tweet your questions and favorite London moments to @WomensHealthMag with the hashtag #WinningWomen.
Let the games begin!
–Jen Ator, Women’s Health senior fitness editor
Follow me on Twitter at @jen_ator for #London2012 updates
More from WH:
What WH Loves About the Olympics
Running Tips from Olympian Natasha Hastings
Exclusive Q&A with Deena Kastor
Gold-Medal Worthy Abs: Workout Moves from Top Olympic Trainers
Print It: The Sports Workout