But should athletes be our heroes? The Summer Olympics will put young sportspeople in the spotlight. But some think we should look elsewhere for our role models.
The teenagers going for gold in Paris
Young stars: The average age of an Olympic athlete is 26, but many, including Team GB's Martin and Tambling, are much younger. Glossary
Olympics - A major international multi-sport event held every four years.
Athletes - Somebody who competes in sports events.
GCSE - The national exams taken by 15 and 16-year-olds in parts of the UK.
Archery - Shooting with bows and arrows.
Commitment - Taking part in something regularly and showing how much you care and are willing to work for a cause.
Role models - People you can look up to, who set a good example.
Michael Phelps - An American swimmer and the most successful Olympian of all time.
Role model - Somebody you can look up to for inspiration.
Wingspan - The distance between the ends of the wings of a bird or aircraft.
Inspire - Make someone want to do something, especially something creative.
Awe - Amazement and a feeling of wonder.