On Your Mark, Get Set for the 2012 Olympics

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Jun 05, 2012
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The Olympic torch is already well on its way through the epic relay tour of towns and cities to eventually arrive at this year's host location of London. It may seem like a long time ago that London won the Olympic bid to host the 2012 Olympics, but now they are just over a month away. 

What you need to know to get ready for this Summer's Olympics is that they begin July 27th and run until August 12th.  The schedule of events has already been published and can be seen on the official site London 2012.

There will be more and more advertising and commercial TV related to the Olympic games in the coming weeks, and now is a good time to start learning about the Olympic athletes in Team USA.  Soon sports reporters around the world will begin speculating on which country will win the most Golds and who the exciting athletes are to watch. 

But the Olympics does not have to be just about watching the games in London, it's an inspiring time to get up and do some sports. So to get you in the mood this week all you need to do is submit your favorite Olympic story in the comments below or share a pinterest board with your Olympic inspiration (that could be athletes, sports clothes, favorite excercise or the images you use to motivate you to get active).  The Gold, Silver & Bronze in this week's giveaway is 3 Switch2Health STEP Pedometers which have built-in motivation for every 10,000 steps.

S2H STEP

Switch2Health STEP Pedometer (3 Winners)

Need a little help with your entry?  We've rounded up some of our favorite videos of past Olympic winners below.

 

The Olympics begin on July 27th and run to August 12 in London. 

 

US Women’s Team Wins 1st Olympic Gold (Soccer): 1996 Atlanta Olympics

The first ever women’s Olympic soccer tournament drew in a crowd of more than 75,000 people for its gold medal game. American Tiffeny Milbrett scored a goal with 22 minutes remaining, which ended up being the winning goal, as Team USA took the first ever gold medal over China.

 

Carly Patterson Wins All-Around (Gymnastics): 2004 Athens Olympics

At just 16 years old, Carly Patterson delivered a poised and extremely difficult performance to become just the second US woman ever to win all-around gold, 20 years after Mary Lou Retton became the first.

 

Paul Hamm Wins All-Around (Gymnastics): 2004 Athens Olympics

Paul Hamm became the first American man to ever win the all-around competition, prevailing in its closest finish ever at the games. After a nasty fall during the vault competition, Hamm found himself situated in 12th place with only two events left to go. It was considered extremely unlikely that he would even get the bronze, but Hamm rebounded in what can only be described as one of the most incredible and improbable wins in gymnastics history.

 

Michael Phelps Wins the 100m Butterfly (Swimming): 2008 Beijing Olympics

Michael Phelps’ seventh race at the Beijing games proved to be his most dramatic in his hunt for eight gold medals. Phelps appeared to be swimming to a silver medal in the 100m fly until the very last stroke, when he out-touched Serbia’s Cavic at the wall by an imperceptible .01 seconds. It quite simply doesn’t get any closer than that.

 

Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh Jennings Repeat Gold Medal (Beach Volleyball): 2008 Beijing Olympics

May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings came into the Beijing games as the defending gold medalists, and they did not disappoint. The team scorched their way to the final match against China without dropping a single set. The final match was played in the driving rain, and when all was said and done, May and Walsh became the first beach volleyball team in history to win back-to-back gold medals at the Olympics.

 

US Men Win 4x100m Free Relay (Swimming): 2008 Beijing Olympics

Michael Phelps’ drive for eight gold medals was nearly halted at his second event, the 4x100m relay. However, in a remarkable anchor leg, Jason Lezak of Team USA closed a nearly full-body-length gap in the final stretch and overtook the trash-talking Alain Bernard of France for the gold medal.

 

Don't have a Pinterest account? Pinterest is currently invite only. You can request an invite from Pinterest here or email us at  info@shespeaks.com and we'll invite you. 

 

All entries must be submitted by 6pm EST on Monday June 11, 2012. This giveaway is for US residents only. Please be sure to update your SheSpeaks profile with your correct address to ensure we send prizes to the right place!

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scrappingsteph by scrappingsteph | BROKEN ARROW, OK
Jun 26, 2012

I remember my mom and I watching Michael Phelps win all his gold medals. We felt such pride for the US. But my overall favorite sport to watch is the gymnastics. I'm 24 now and have been watching with my mom for as long as I can remember.

basilandcatnip by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX
Jun 20, 2012

Did I miss the winners posted?? Wanted to congratulate them and see how they were enjoying their Switch2Health STEP Pedometer. I was so hoping to be one, the Switch2Health looked like it would be a great deal of fun and a huge motivator to get out there and get moving!

NAvery1 by NAvery1 | MOUNT MORRIS, MI
Jun 14, 2012

I can't forget the 1984 Olympics. I was in school and did research projects. I had a pair of spandex pants that said 'Mary Lou'

carolynlee by carolynlee | park ridge, IL
Jun 14, 2012

2008 Nastia taking the Gold for USA- - her grace and beauty is unforgetable. The skills she competed is far beyond the gymnasts of the perfect 10 era.

basilandcatnip by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX
Jun 12, 2012

Reminded of all the events I volunteered for when our city applied to have the Olympics held here. We didn't get it but it was a wonderful experience.

jygriebel by jygriebel | Marble, PA
Jun 09, 2012

The Magnificent Seven (USA women's gymnastic team) who won the Team Gold Medal at the 2006 Olympics! Probably the most talented group of gymnasts ever put together, I like everyone of them but Shannon Miller is my favorite.

stef42678 by stef42678 | LAS VEGAS, NV
Jun 09, 2012

My favorite Olympic story is of the 1984 Olympics with Mary Lou Retton because I was actually there and she was so inspiring and it was amazing to watch.

basilandcatnip by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX
Jun 09, 2012

I'm glued every Olympics, no sleep. So many great moments! The whole world coming together. I like the older athletes that compete and show they can do it. The athletes that have the strength to come alone to represent their country. The highs and the lows like 2010 torch incident and the luge, to Apolo Ohno. To each of the people that run the torch all those miles to the opening ceremony, to all the volunteers. To my friend that showed up to watch the Beijing Olympics in a Panda suit. All the way back to Mark Spitz I've been watching. Looking forward to London! Good Luck to all our athletes.

Gigglez by Gigglez | PARK CITY, KS
Jun 08, 2012

The unforgettable performances by the 'Magnificent 7' (U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team) in the 1996 Olympics!

cardreader by cardreader | Dudley, MA
Jun 06, 2012

My favorite Olympic story was in 1980. My son was born, c-section, one day before the last game. of the Ice Hockey competition. As my roommate was brought into the bed next to me, she yelled," who won?" Forty Five babies were born in the twenty four hours, I had to wait for the surgery because fifteen c-sections were ahead of me. Every TV was on, the US Olympic Team took a gold medal.

dreampeddler by dreampeddler | CHIPPEWA FLS, WI
Jun 06, 2012

Also watched my first Olympics in 1984 and was so enamored with Mary Lou Retton! I can never forget having the Wheaties Box with her on it. :)

wesill by wesill | WEST CREEK, NJ
Jun 06, 2012

I also remember Nadia Comanici getting all those perfect 10 scores. All the girls wanted to do gymnastics just like her.

pokergirl by pokergirl | FRESNO, CA
Jun 06, 2012

The first Olympic games I remember watching was 1984. I was fascinated with Mary Lou Retton. It was very exciting to see her win. Who could forget that huge, bright smile. And, even though I was only ten, I had a big crush on Mitch Gaylord.

kbaby05 by kbaby05 | canton, MI
Jun 06, 2012

My favorite olympic story would have to be Michael Phelps. He out-touched U.S. rival Ian Crocker in the 100-meter butterfly for the closest finish of his six gold-medal races at the 2004 Olympics. The tally was one short of Mark Spitz's seven golds at the '72 Games, but Phelps' eight medals overall were the most by any athlete at a non-boycotted Games. What a fun, exciting, sitting at the edge of your seat moment!!!!

zenfulwoman by zenfulwoman | West Babylon, NY
Jun 06, 2012

I have always enjoyed watching both Winter and Summer but I like the Summer better. I watch more the skating in Winter than anythign else. I like the summer it seems more fun.