During the Summer Olympic Games, Track and Field athletes showcase incredible feats of endurance, strength, and speed.
"Some of the things that don't seem humanly possible...People enjoy about track and field."
Chris Baptista knows a lot about this grueling sport. As an assistant coach at Fresno State he sees firsthand the tremendous effort it takes to compete in these events. At the Olympics there's quite a long list, 47 in total.
Sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps, throws, multi-events and relays. "Its very diverse, anything from strength levels to fitness levels to body shapes."
Take these three for instance; a javelin thrower, a long jumper, and a sprinter. All very different, but all very disciplined and dedicated. "It can get very intense some of the distance races you see people trying to psych each other out."
"What we do for fun is other peoples punishment."
"You have to be hard on yourself, determined to do well."
And doing well is what it's all about. 2012 may prove a very good year for the U.S. Back in Beijing, U.S. Track and Field athletes won 23 medals and are expected to once again do well in their best events, the hurdles and sprints.
Some of the standouts this year include; Allyson Felix, who set a world record in the 200, Sanya Richards-Ross, Aries Merritt, Jason Richardson and Ashton Eaton, who set a world record in the decathlon. As they go for gold, the world will watch, and see all that makes Olympic athletes some of the best in the world.
"Just that willing to sacrifice...That personal commitment to the sport in general...To the pinnacle of your event."
You can catch all the Track & Field action beginning on August 3rd. It wraps up with the marathon on August 12th. You can catch all the Olympic action on NBC's Olympic website by clicking here.
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