So How Does One Become World's Greatest Athlete?

Like many other amazing athletes, he worked through a major challenge. In 1987, at the age of 13, he broke his calf bone and shin bone playing soccer. After this, he had his leg in plaster for 2 months and spent one year learning to walk. Just a few short years later he got involved in track and field and hasn't looked back since. To be honest…some people just have it. Obviously it took tons of hard work, but this guys seems like a natural.

Many People Think the 100m Dash Is the Ultimate Event

If I could pick one event that has the most hype in track and field it would have to be the 100 meter dash. I think the mystique behind it is that if you are good at sprinting 100 meters, you can dominate a lot of sports. Well…this could be one of the most exciting races in recent history. In case you haven't been keeping track, the world record has been broken multiple times since the last olympics.

Asafa Powell from Jamaica: 9.74 seconds

[Even though this record has been broken, check how effortless it looks. He looks like he is slowing down at the end of this race. He is my choice to win this event in 2008 in Beijing.]

Usain Bolt…from Jamaica as Well: 9.72 seconds

[Here is Usain Bolt breaking Asafa's world record. He is flying in this race. This is an exciting video.]

Tyson Gay from USA: 9.68 (wind too high to count as WR)

[This doesn't count, but it is the fastest time a human has ever run in this event. It is pretty impressive. This is going to be one to watch in Beijing.]

Olympic Athletes, Some of the Fittest People on the Planet

I don't post the typical fitness magazine models on my site for a reason…I think athletes make for better role models. Plus people who have other interests besides just working out, are more interesting to read about. When you watch the Olympics this year, pay attention to what a functionally fit body looks like…it just doesn't look as forced as someone who is getting ready for a magazine photo shoot.

What I Take Away from The Olympics

I get energized to work harder towards my goals after watching the Olympics. These athletes sacrificed a ton just for a short "peak moment". Peak moments like this are what you remember in life…not just mindlessly seeking short-term pleasure.

Note: This article is mainly about track and field athletes, but I am also looking forward to all the other events as well. Any basketball fans out there? I know Team USA lost in Athens in 2004, but would you want to play these guys?

[Imagine if your assignment was to guard Kobe Bryant? How about LeBron James? Hopefully the actually play as a team this time, because they have serious talent!]

Olympic Athletes are Attractive as A Byproduct of Being Fit

There is something about competition that really pushes people past the point of pain. These athletes train hard to be the best in the world at their chosen events. The majority of the events in the Olympics require speed and endurance to a certain extent. About 90% of the events require an amazing level of cardiovascular fitness. Some of these events are borderline insane! Have you ever tried to run a mile in under 6 minutes? It makes me hurt all over. These guys do it in 3 minutes and 45 seconds!

What We Can Learn from These Olympic Athletes

Have you ever really though about the idea of "peak moments"? A peak moment is working hard and dedicating yourself 100% to achieving something extraordinary. Take a guy who runs the 100m sprint. He dedicates his entire life to something that lasts less than 10 seconds! A peak moment is a major highlight in your life. Maybe it is when you got married…or when your child is born. Possibly it is when your first book is published, or when you take your company public. The idea is that your life maybe only has a few peak moments. The Olympics really remind me to work hard at my dreams to make these moments special.

Here are 5 Clips of Amazing Olympic Moments

As a US citizen, I know that my perspectives are going to be completely different than people in other parts of the world. Of course I cheer for my country, but I do recognize greatness from all over the world. Here are 5 of my favorite Olympic clips.

Summer of 1936 Jessie Owens Proves Hitler Wrong…4 times!

[Obviously I'm not old enough to have seen this, but I have seen clips of this historic event. You have to watch this clip...it is outstanding!]

Nadia Comaneci of Romania…Greatest Gymnast of All Time!

[Before 1976, no male or female had ever received a perfect score in any Olympic gymnastics event. Then Nadia Comaneci comes along and shows us perfection. This video kind of gives me chills, because it shows her working hard to achieve her dream. She will go down in the history books as one of the best ever at her sport...what an inspiration!]

Muhammad Ali Lighting the Torch in Altanta Olympics 1996

[I remember watching this clip with my dad and he had tears in his eyes. I was tough and held it in, but I had chills. This was a really special Olympic moment that I will always remember.]

Bob Beamon's "Leap of the Century" in 1968 Mexico City

[This was a world record jump that people thought would never be broken. It held for over two decades. He obliterated the world record by 2 feet. The measuring equipment didn't even go far enough to measure his jump...they had to bring in an extra tape measure!]

Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia Wins the Olympic Marathon, Running Barefoot! 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome.

[He had only run the race 3 times before the 1960 Olympic games. He won again in 1964...the first person to win gold back-to-back in the Olympic games.]

I'm Excited to See the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing!

Every four years there are at least a dozen memorable events in the Summer Olympics. I'm a complete junkie…I will stay up late and try my best to see these events live as they happen. I love the pure joy of watching the athletes on the podium get tears as they play their country's national anthem. I get chills almost every time. I can't wait!