Timothy P. Shriver

Chairman of Special Olympics

In the global Special Olympics family, we too are seeing the emergence of dynamic leaders who are all Special Olympics athletes. We think of them as leaders of a dignity revolution.Their goal is simple: advocate for full dignity and opportunity.

Lonna Saunders

Attorney/Writer/Broadcaster

From WJZ-TV in Baltimore where she became fast friends with work colleague Oprah Winfrey to the CBS Morning News to anchoring, producing and reporting for NBC News, Maria proved herself again and again as someone who works hard and with a conscience. And why not?

Vivian Diller, Ph.D.

Psychologist and author, 'Face It'

It seems like a nice problem to have; a gifted child with a seemingly promising future. But when -- and how much -- should a parent get involved? And when should they get out of the way?

Craig and Marc Kielburger

Co-Founders, Free The Children

Certain people have such boundless inner energy that it seems the whole global deficit might be solved, if only we could tap into their power reserves. Sylvie Fréchette is one of those people. It's not hard to see how this vivacious Québécoise helped Canada bring home the Olympic gold for solo synchronized swimming. We managed to pin down the bubbly Fréchette just long enough for a quick chat in Montreal.

Wendy Boglioli

Olympic Gold & Bronze Medalist, Healthy Aging Advocate, Lifelong Athlete

The truth is that you don't need to have won anything to start doing something today. Define your goals, rely on a network of people to help you achieve them and turn your weaknesses into your strengths.

Timothy P. Shriver

Chairman of Special Olympics

I'm a 30 year old man with Down syndrome who has struggled with the public's perception that an intellectual disability means that I am dumb and shallow. I am not either of those things, but I do process information more slowly than the rest of you. In fact it has taken me all day to figure out how to respond to your use of the R-word last night.

Katherine Starr

Founder and President, Safe4Athletes; Former Olympic Swimmer

We cannot count on an athlete being able to confront this powerful person or to even speak to his or her parents about a coach's behavior when they are fearful of the parent not believing them or the coach withdrawing playing time, affection or instruction.

Greg Woodburn

Founder, Give Running

What could be more meaningful to run towards -- to run for -- than joining together in victory? Give your best when you compete, but remember that together we all win. That's courage.

Jay Tavare

Actor, Writer, Humanitarian

Above all the glory and the unfulfilled dreams, is the higher purpose of the Olympic Games. For 17 days, the world's nations put away their differences and political and religious issues in order to meet in an arena of competition where winning is not the only goal.

Sandy Garossino

Business Owner, Community Advocate

Does it strike anyone as odd that Vancouver is the kind of town where we turn to someone called the Condo King for reliable advice on real estate? Apparently not. It goes without saying that Bob Rennie knows Vancouver residential real estate better than anyone, and he is always a terrific interview. Most of us understand at some level that he's not exactly impartial, but few seem to grasp just exactly how his opinions might be coloured.

Alma and Colin Powell

Chairman and Founding Chair, America's Promise Alliance

While the U.S. sent more than 500 athletes to London, back home, 7,000 students dropped out in just one day. Those athletes represented our nation, but so do the young people who drop out of school.

Amanda Christianson

Grand Prize Winner, Julie Foudy's "Choose To Win" Contest

The Olympics have been amazing to watch this year for me. I was very into it while I was still at home, but being here and having thousands of fans cheering with you is just indescribable.

Reese Schonfeld

Television journalist

Once every four years, the Summer Olympics distort the news ratings. This year, it was worse than usual because MSNBC, programmed by NBC, carried a lot of Olympic events, sometimes in primetime, sometimes in daytime.

Dan_Weiss

Associate professor of psychology and linguistics

Let's stop sweating the details of who doped and who didn't. As the sun fades from the London Olympics let's look forward to an even more spectacular games in Rio.

Ed Crego, George Muñoz and Frank Islam

Bloggers on 21st-century citizenship

The London Olympics were a smashing success. While there was some disappointment at the lack of revenue raised during the games -- that perspective will be short term. These Olympics have left an indelible impression on millions around the world.

Bonnie St. John

Olympic Ski Medalist, Amputee, Rhodes Scholar, former White House Official, Corporate Leadership Expert, and Best-Selling Author

Now that the awe-inspiring London 2012 Olympics are over and we're done celebrating the amazing physical performances of Gabby Douglas, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and so many others from around the world... We go back to our normal lives. But should we?