It’s beyond incredible the training and effort that goes on behind the scenes before an athlete makes it to a competition. I think a lot of the general public has no clue that some athletes will train 7 days a week 365 days a year… for years to achieve their goals.
One of my favorite events to watch is swimming and I am a bit partial to Michael Phelps.
Here is a quick video about his journey to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Let me just say, his Mom had great restraint. I would have been bursting with tears of pride when sharing his story.
I’ve always admired the gymnasts’ abilities… especially the floor exercises and the balance beam. As a child I often had dreams of effortlessly doing double back handsprings across the floor.
Here is Nastia Liukin talking about her journey and her focus for The London 2012 Olympic Games.
The dedication, perseverance and sheer effort these athletes put into their skill is beyond incredible.
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She has a coach that she likes.
Thanks for the contest.
I learned She has a coach that she likes.
Her dad is her coach which gives her the best support.
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Nastia Liukin, trained by her dad and he won also so she had a great trainer
The videos and many of the promo commercials we see were taped before the team selections were finalized. As a mother, my heart aches for all those who trained and tried out with high hopes of selection. Some we remember from previous games and their struggles are felt more. Like many families, we watch the women’s gymnastics competitions and it was so sad when Nastia was not selected for the 2008 team. But she and Shawna (who withdrew from team selection) handled themselves with grace and dignity. My daughter and I watched the selection process and talked about many things – the health aspects of being a worldclass athlete, the delicate balance of putting together a winning team and then how some sports are skewed to the youth while other sports favor experience.
wow, she must have a great coach is what i learned
I watched 4 different ones.. all touching but I particularly loved Yelena’s story. Too tall for gymnastics, her coach suggested pole vaulting, which at that time was only a mans sport. She of course broke the worlds record! Women can do anything they put there mind to!!
Surprised Nastia Liukin is still competing.
Love the story of Team Lukin. Good luck to her.
I could relate more to the second video from Visa. I was watching cheering on Michael Phelps in that race. It was so close even to the end.
Nastia having her dad coach her <3
the 1st video was my favorite!!! <3
i learned that they don’t let tall people do gymnastics
Michael Phelps trained for 24hrs a week and 7 days straight.
I was touched by the story of Nastia and her father.
I liked the difference because I can really relate
I love the emotion of the spectators in the last video!
I was touched by Nastia talking about her father. I didn’t realize that he was a former gold medalist!
Team Luiken what a great story of family deication 🙂
I didn’t realize that Nastia was 22 years old
It’s kinda sad that a gymnast feels over the hill by age 22. Glad that it hasn’t stopped team Liukin.
i really like that her dad is her coach
i didn’t know Micheal Phelps trained so many hours. that is commitment
Michael Phelps training 24/7 surprised me.
The gymastics one touched me. Over the hill at 22? Amazing.
Phelps went six years without a day off from training.
Wow…that is dedication!
i was touched by the Phelps video
I like how excited the crowd got watching a swimmer (M. Phelps perhaps?) win.
I liked the michael phelps video. I didn’t realize how much training he did like the boxing and working out
I love that her dad is her coach and I just love the everything about the Olympics
i learnered tall people can’t do gymnastics, I always wondered why they were always short people didnt know it was a rule.
Nastia Liukin video, amazed at what she can do
I liked seeing Nadia Comaneci’s perfect 10 in the video.
The email where I subscribe is janmessali (at) gmail (dot), different than Rafflecopter
It surprised me that Michael Phelps almost quit swimming. It touches me how hard these athletes work to get to the Olympics. It is amazing.
I didn’t know Nastia Liukin’s was 22 years old
her dad is her coach
That her Dad is her couch keeping her training family oriented
i loved all the cheering and excitement from the crowd watching both in the stadium and while watching tv in the difference video
I was surprised at how normal she seems…not what I’d expect.
I love the support that family gives athletes and the different roles they play
Like that Nastia Liukin considers herself over the hill for her competition but is still working hard to compete in it.
Whoa! Extreme dedication by Michael Phelps and his coach. What surprised me and amazed me is that at one point they never stopped training for 6 years every day.
I love that her Dad is her coach 🙂
Her father is her coach.
Hearing about Michael Phelps and how hard he worked is inspiring!
I loved the Michael Phelps video. I like the relationship he has with his mother. And what a hard worker he is! I’m so proud of him making history with his medals! That is a great honor!
I was most touched by Nastia Liukin’s video. My sister was a gymnast for many years, so I enjoyed going to watch her perform at the meets.
I liked the part where Michael Phelps was talking about his mother and how he struggled when he was younger with wanting to quit swimming so many times.
michael phelps trains for 24 hours a week and at one time he trained for 6 years without a break
I was touched that her dad supported her and coached her
natasia having her dad coach her. precious. makes me miss my dad
I like the video with Michael Phelps. You can tell how proud his Mom is and it’s sweet seeing them talk together about his success.
The skills these people have gained — and then qualified for the Olympics is awesome. Watching athletes always amazes me in what they can do, running so fast, flips, jumps, lifts, tosses…
The stomach turn on the low bars in “The Difference” shocked me! I haven’t seen that clip. It was so cool!
She has a coach that she likes.
I like that her dad is her coach.
i am touched by all the hard work and dedication that goes into this.
i just love the look on michael phelps mom face when he wins
I find it incredible that Michael Phelps trained 24 hours 7 days a week
I watched the Nastia Liukin video and loved when they talked about it being Team Liukin – that there’s three parts of it (her and her parents).
I was touched by Nastia talking about her father, they have worked hard together for her dream
I learned her dad is her trainer.
I liked the story of Nastia and her father.
i did not know Nastia was 22
Tell me what part of the videos above touched your or surprised you the most in the comments section (below) on the blog.
love the fan excitemnet
I enjoyed hearing about Yelena who got into pole vaulting after being told that she was to tall.
surprised he trained 6 years Michael Phelps without a day off
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I love the “Never give up” attitude that all of these athletes have.
I like the part about the world cheering together with Michael Phelps.
Nastia having her dad coach her
I’m partial to Michael Phelps too! Maryland represent! The video touched me especially the last part when the mom was about to tear up, you can just tell how proud she was of him!! I’m glad he didn’t give up– such a good story for kids to never give up on what you like to do!
In the last video I like the part about coming together to cheer as one. That’s the spirit of the olympics.
I love that Nastia’s dad was her coach and an olymipia as well
M. Phelp: he has come into his own since the 2004 Olympic and know what he wants and more relaxed about swimming
Liukin: the motivation and special relationship b/t her father as a coach and her father as a parent. The support system is awesome
Last video: I love the highlight of each win
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I loved the end with Michael Phelps and his mom’s reaction..Priceless 🙂
she has good coach
I was touched by the part with Michael Phelps and his mom.