The Olympics are well under way in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and, I don’t know about you, but every time the Games roll around, I can’t help but watch them. There’s just something special about all of the best athletes from around the world coming together and doing their best to take home gold for their countries.
Whether it’s the Summer or Winter Games, I often find myself watching the competitions unfold for much longer than I ever planned to. And so, in keeping with this infectious Olympic spirit, here are three must-read books written by some of history’s best Olympians. Their stories are inspirational, to say the least, and you’ll want to add these titles to your ‘Must Read’ list.
Muhammad Ali In His Own Words – Muhammad Ali
As the audiobook’s official description reads, In His Own Words features Ali “answering questions about his impending retirement and rumors that he is suffering from Parkinson’s disease.” What’s more, “in the course of these appearances, he also discusses his fighting career, his frank views on religion and society, his vision of a separate black-only American state and his lack of formal education.”
Winning Balance – Shawn Johnson
Winning Balance highlights the “loss of the major gymnastics prize everyone expected her to win in Beijing, the all-around Olympic gold medal, which was the loss of a dream she’d worked for since childhood. Later, she suffered a staggering injury in a skiing accident that forced her life to a halt and made her rethink what was really important… This is the amazing true journey of how the young woman who won an Olympic gold medal on the balance beam became even more balanced.”
Running For My Life – Lopez Lomong
“Running for My Life is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics,” reads the book’s synopsis. “It is about outrunning the devil and achieving the impossible faith, diligence, and the desire to give back. It is the American dream come true and a stark reminder that saving one can help to save thousands more.”