On The Right Track: On the Road to the London Olympics

It is a pleasure to see the support of Corporate America to the USA Olympic & Paralympic programs.  Throughout the year, sponsorships are at an all-time high as corporations have finally realized “It takes funding to support our athletes.”  Citi Every Step in addition to being a sponsor to The United States Olympic Committee (USOC), they have donated over $500.000.  Some of the athletes involved are: Sanya Richards-Ross, Amanda McGrory, Bob & Mike Bryan, Carlos Leon, Christie Rampone, Cullen Jones, and Danell Leyva.  For more information, please visit the https://everystep.citi.com.

 BP has signed up as a partner of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Olympic and Paralympic athletes vying for a spot on Team USA. Not only are they providing these athletes with some much needed funding as they prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Olympic Winter Games, they are working with the USOC to reduce its carbon footprint. With the help of BP Target Neutral, they’ll be given support to offset their travel related carbon emissions.

 In September 2011, BP extended its sponsorship of the USOC through the 2016 Games, giving the USOC a boost as it tries to keep companies in the fold beyond this year’s London 2012 Games, and in October 2011 BP announced its support for a diverse group of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes.  Some of the athletes include are:  Brian Clay (Decathlon), Sanya-Richards-Ross (400 Meter Sprinter), Lolo Jones (100 Meter Hurdler), Rudy Garcia-Tolson (100 & 200 Meter Swimmer), Jonathan Horton (Gymnast), Tatyanna McFadden (Wheelchair Racer), Jerome Singleton (100 & 200 Meter Sprinter), Rebecca Soni (100 & 200 Meter Breatstroke) and Matt Stutzman (Archer).  For more information: www.bplondon2012.com

The BMW Performance Team was formed to help Team USA athletes achieve their Olympic and Paralympic Dreams. Each team member is passionate, talented and constantly striving to improve in his or her sport. And with BMW’s support, members of the BMW Performance Team will be able to focus entirely on qualifying and training for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Members supported by this venture include:  Ricky Berens (Swimming), Bryan Clay (Track & Field), Sanya Richards-Ross (Track & Field), Janet Evans (Swimming), and April Holmes (Paralympics Track & Field).  For more information, please visit www.bmwusa.com.

The Olympic Torch Relay

 The Olympic Torch Relay will help shine a light on the whole of the UK – from dynamic urban areas to places of outstanding natural beauty.  Torchbearers will carry the Flame through more than 100 cities, towns and villages in the UK.

  Lit in Greece, the Olympic Flame arrives in the UK on 18 May 2012 before setting out the next day on a 70-day Olympic Torch Relay, bringing the excitement of the Games to everyone.

 The Olympic Flame stands for peace, unity and friendship. It will be carried by 8,000 truly inspirational Torchbearers.

  Where is the Olympic Flame going?

 The Olympic Flame will travel to within an hour of 95 per cent of people in the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey during the 70-day Torch Relay. It will enable local communities to shine a light on the best their area has to offer. 

The most memorable Olympians I can recall are:

Memorable Olympic champion Carl Lewis

In Women’s Soccer, player of the 1990’s, was Mia Hamm who has been an inspiration to young players around the world, Teresa Edwards who holds the record as both the youngest and the oldest Olympic Gold Medalist in Women’s Basketball.  One of only four Olympians to win nine Gold Medals, Carl Lewis was among the greatest Olympic idols of the 20thcentury.  Jenny Thompson’s 12 Olympic medals make her the most successful female Olympian to ever compete in the pool.  Stephanie Cook has the honor of being the first ever female Olympic Gold Medalist in Modern Pentathlon.  Michael Jordan’s remarkable achievements throughout a long and illustrious career make him one of the greatest basketball players of all time and Michael Phelps an American swimmer who has, overall, won 16 Olympic medals—six gold and two bronze at Athens in 2004, and eight gold at Beijing in 2008, becoming the most successful athlete at both of these Olympic Games.

Exercise/Healthy Tidbits

Drink Clean Water

 Our bodies are mostly water, approximately 85% of your brain, 80% of your blood and 70% of your muscle is water. So logically, our bodies need water as a source of replenishment. But I even find it a challenge at times to make sure I am always drinking water. One system I’ve developed is simply making sure I drink 1 cup of water (about 8-12 ounces) every hour on the hour between the hours of 9-5. If you have a cell phone or you are on your computer for a major part of the day, set a reminder alert for every hour.

 Drink some Green Juice
Every day for the next week, find a way to incorporate a green drink in your diet, preferably in the morning. Whether it is a glass of wheatgrass, adding spinach or kale to your morning smoothie, or juicing, find a way to have it in liquid form.

 Green Juice of Champions
2 bunches of greens (kale, spinach, chard etc) 1/2 bunch parsley, 1 inch piece of ginger, half of a lemon, 2-3 apples

 Drink 2 Cups of Tea a Day
The benefits of tea are undeniable. Most teas contain antioxidant, may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, can boost your immune system, and phytochemicals that protect your bones. Unbeknownst to many, teas actually contains fluoride and tannins, so drinking unsweetened tea, and brushing afterward (some teas can cause stains), can aid your smile.

  Eating & Exercising! It’s MY LIFEStyle LifeFITNESS

 For more information or questions, please contact OlympianDianeD@yahoo.com and check out my blog at http://olympiandianedixon.wordpress.com