The women of the 2008 Beijing Olympics are not only finely tuned machines, they are beautiful inside and out. Many have found that to stay in shape and motivated it takes a lot more than two practice sessions a day and a strict diet. It takes motivation. Motivation is personal and can’t be taught or prescribed. It can be encouraged or sparked by the world (who’s always watching these days) but their private standard of health and beauty comes from within. Perhaps that’s what makes a true Olympian – or what sets the champions ahead of the pack.

When winning and losing is based on splitting a second into halves and thirds, it can take a lot out of you physically, of course, but emotionally and spiritually as well. It’s the latter that you wear in public. That’s what shows on your face, in your eyes, on your skin. And if you think it’s easy to keep skin that soaks in chlorine water clear and smooth, think again.

Perhaps the most profiled swimmer of these Olympics is U.S. swimmer, Dara Torres. At 41 years old, this amazingly fast mom and athlete said that “you can’t put an age on your dreams.” Her motivation to stay healthy is her daughter and her family and her place in their world. What keeps her beautiful is her love for her sport and her family. Torres struggled with an eating disorder for five years, so now she takes amino acid supplements and eats right. She treats her skin well and often with super moisturizers and really clean water.

When you start talking about personal motivation and how it keeps you looking and felling good, you’ll find that most of these women agree that you have to have a team spirit, but an individual goal and a place to come back to so the pressure doesn’t bring you down.

When you ask about skincare, you’ll get a laugh or a groan from many Olympians because their skin is under daily duress. Fellow U.S. swimmer Amada Beard, Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice, Croatian high jumper Blanca Vlasic and Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva all spend countless hours putting their skin through the ringer. And cosmetic companies are finally taking notice and providing products designed for the skincare of intense athletes on and off the field. These products include SPF30 sunscreens with anti-sting technology, SPF20 lip balm packed with vitamins, long lasting friction cream, gels designed to restore the skin of tired feet and a similar formula for abused skin.

If you fantasize about someday becoming an Olympian, consider that it takes a lot more than skill to be a champion. Their ease and beauty come from support and emotional strength too. And, when you consider that you may need a strong anti-friction cream to succeed, you better really be willing to give it all!

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