The Olympic Games serve as a platform for international cooperation and harmony through sports. We have marvelled at the grandeur of Olympians throughout history, and now there is a global stage to promote sportsmanship. They are the best of the best, held in the highest esteem due to the immense pride they inspire us as citizens and as a result of the personal sacrifices they make on our behalf while serving our country. The Olympics only happen every four years, but the athletes’ names will live on in infamy. Read on to discover how some of the greatest Olympians have fared off the field. Each of these superstars Lewis, George Foreman, and Usain Bolt—has encouraged us to see the potential for greatness inside ourselves. We can relate to them because we have many of the same admirable qualities, inspiring us to do better. It’s a challenge we hope to take on for the rest of our lives.

Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson’s family signed her up for gymnastics classes when she was just three years old; they had zero ideas their daughter would be competing on the international stage one day. They were just normal parents who wanted their kid to have fun and pick a sport where she might develop valuable abilities. Johnson was able to improve to a competitive level thanks to the support and guidance of her trainer. She was a competitor at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She also took home the gold medal on the balance beam to add to her three silver medals for the women’s gymnastics team. The injury she sustained to her knee while skiing in 2010 forced her to give up the sport.