As someone who trips over her own feet, I’ve been watching the 2012 Summer Olympics games with amazement. From archery to wrestling, the Olympics allow the world’s top athletes to compete on an international level, and there’s been incredible highs and gut-wrenching lows.

Watching Serena Williams take the gold, individually and then with her sister Venus, was incredible. The “Fabulous Five” surpassed the media hype surrounding the gymnastics competition as did the women’s soccer and volleyball teams that kept advancing.

Teenager Missy Franklin was all smiles as she won swimming medals as did the incomparable Michael Phelps who won eight Olympic gold medals and set a world record. But at the end of the competition, it didn’t matter if the viewer knew the athletes or not – the dedication they showed to their sport was inspiring.

Of course, NBC news has turned the Olympics into an “event,” complete with logos, theme music and short segments highlighting every athle

te they deemed “newsworthy.” We probably know more about Jordyn Wieber, Ryan Lochte and Gabby Douglas than we do some of our own relatives.

Olympic commercials have especially played on our heartstrings as they showcase athletes preparing for the Olympics. With Morgan Freeman narrating and violins playing against images of children thanking their mothers for their sacrifices, it’s impossible to stay dry eyed.

Televising the back story of how an athlete went from a 4-year-old doing somersaults in the living room to turning in almost perfect gymnastics routines makes for an interesting back story, but what the hype doesn’t show is the day-in and day-out grueling training schedule, money and sweat that goes into an Olympian’s performance.

Every athlete at the games has put in hours to fine tune their performance. Their parents have been getting up early, taking them to practice or working an extra job to pay for coaching lessons. They’ve allowed their children to live far from home, just so they could train with a better coach.

In preparation for the games, these Olympians were up at 5 a.m., swimming countless laps in the pool before school started or turning endless flips on a sweaty gym mat before they tackled their homework.

Although most athletes never make it to the Olympics, what they do share with those in the games is a dedication to practice and perfection. Serious athletes understand that commitment to physical fitness and pushing themselves beyond what they think they can accomplish.

Teenage boys are already on the football fields, sweating and practicing blocks and tackles. They’re in the weight rooms, building muscle mass and fine tuning their coordination skills. Coaches are putting them through the drills, both physical and mental, to make them the best they can be.

Amateur runners are racking up miles running on subdivision roads early in the morning or late in the evening. Accountants and teachers are lacing up their sneakers after work and running up and down stairs to get in shape.

People are in the pool at the YMCA early in the morning, swimming lap after lap. There aren’t any crowds to cheer them on nor are there coaches shouting support from the sidelines. The only encouragement they have is the voice inside their head.

No cheering crowds at the finish line. No product endorsement. No television interview with Bob Costas. Just the inner satisfaction of knowing they accomplished their goal. And, after all, that’s what every athlete dreams about.

This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald.