Are you watching the Olympics this summer?  I know I am.  Gymnastics, swimming, diving, track, volleyball – summer Olympics are not only enjoyable to watch, but pretty inspiring as well.  The training and dedication required to become a world-class Olympian is mind blowing.  Did you know that Gabrielle Douglas, 16 year old American Gymnast left her home in Virginia Beach, VA for West Des Moines at the age of 14 in order to train at the same gym that produced gold-medalist Shawn Johnson?  Years of sacrifice, early morning practices, physical conditioning, and mental determination all amount to the extreme measures Olympians take to compete for honoring their countries.   

So what does it take to be a successful Olympian?   Today Health points out the ideal “ingredients” for a successful ultimate athlete:

• Skewed Muscles:  “Non-skill” sports solely based on strength, speed, or endurance such as running, swimming, or weightlifting, truly depend on body conditioning rather than training.  According to Bob Girandola, a kinesiologist at the University of Southern California, these forms of athleticism "ultimately are determined by genetics. You don't increase the number or type of muscle fibers by training."  In other words - it's what mommy and daddy gave you that count for something...
  
• Ship-Shape:  No matter how you slice it, certain sports come down to body size.  Gymnasts are usually short, basketball players tall, and weightlifters stocky.  Understand your body type – and find the sport that best suits your size.
  
• More pain, More Gain:  Yes, body type and muscle tone are important – but of course, practice makes perfect.  Why are Brazilians superb at soccer?  Because the kids are playing the sport morning, noon, and night.  John Williamson, a professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center who studies the brain's role in exercise and physical activity, noted that elite athletes' brains may simply ignore pain signals from their muscles, allowing them to push through injuries and tolerate a greater buildup of lactic acid in their working muscles.  The more an athlete practices - despite fatigue or pain -- she will eventually perfect her game.

There you have it.  A little bit of genetics and a lot of effort are what truly contribute to the make of a successful Olympian.  If you think you have what it takes – we'll see you in Rio in 2016!