The Olympics are one of the most exciting events where every two years the world gathers in either a warmish place or a coldish place to watch the best athletes in the world compete for the ultimate title of the best in the world. Now, if you're anything like me, during and after the Olympics you want more. More success stories and more champions to cheer on. Here are some great Olympic books to keep you going until Tokyo 2020.

1. The Boys In the Boat by Daniel James Brown

This is the story of eight young men from the University of Washington. They were sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmer. They stunned the world by beating not only the elite 'traditional' rowing teams from Britain and the American East Coast but also the German rowing team representing Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

2. For the Glory by Duncan Hamilton

This is the story of Eric Liddell, who you might remember from the movie Chariots of Fire. But for those who have not seen the movie, Liddell was an Olympic sprinter who would not compete in his signature event, the 100m sprint, at the 1924 Paris Olympics because the event would fall on the Christian sabbath, which Liddell strictly observed. While the world ridiculed him, Liddell still won gold in the 400m. But this book covers even more of his life and includes his missionary work and his internment at a Japanese work camp. Throughout this harrowing experience, Liddell continued to be a beacon of hope. He counseled other prisoners, gave away his food, and set up friendly competitions for the children.

3. Don't Tell Me You're Afraid by Giuseppe Catozzella (translated by Anne Milano Appel)

Since Samia was eight she loved to run and years of training in her home countries of Somalia, despite her lack of resources and with the restrictions imposed on women, she was chosen to represent her country in the 2008 Bejing Olympics. She didn't win, but as she ran in her heat the crowd was moved to their feet as seeing a fearless woman representing a war-torn country. Samia then made it her goal to return to the Olympics in the 2012 London games. This book not only tells the story of Samia Omar, a true champion, but also is a window into a global issue.

4. The Three-Year Swim Club by Julie Checkoway

This is the story of, Soichi Sakamoto, a school teacher in Maui, Hawaii, who gave a group of Japanese-Americans something to cheer for. It was 1937 and in segregated Hawaii Sokamoto's Japanese-American athletes malnourished and overworked in sugar plantations. Sokamoto, who could do little more than tread water, nevertheless trained his swimmers in irrigation ditches. Their dreams seem to have come to an end when, in 1940, the Tokyo games were canceled due to Word War II. But ultimately Sakamoto trained six national champions and an Olympic champion.

5. Triumph by Jeremy Schapp

Jesse Owens, an African-American, Olympic runner competed in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany at the height of the Nazi regime. Owens won four gold medals in track and field events, shattering the myth of Aryan supremacy in front of Adolf Hitler himself. Not only did these historic wins help delegitimize the idea that Aryan race had a genetic advantage, but is also hailed as a hero to African-Americans back in his home country.

6. Boys of Winter by Wayne Coffey

This is the story of the "Miracle on Ice". If you don't know what that is referring to the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics where the American men's ice hockey team faced down the Russian hockey team at the height of cold war. This book shows how the unusual team fit together, including their fierce coach, Herb Brooks. The novel also follows the characters after their win and how the Olympics affected the players afterward.

For any gymnastic fans out there, no worries, I've got you.

7. Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith by Gabby Douglas with Michelle Bedford

Gabby Douglas wrote her own biography after her gold medal performance in the London 2012 Olympic games. She was the first American gymnast to take home gold for the team and overall individual events. Her story is full of perseverance, hard work, and faith, particularly when she left her family at fourteen and moved from Virginia Beach to Des Moines, Iowa to train with her coach Liang Chow. Gabby then went on to compete in the Rio 2016 Olympic games.

8. I Got This: To Gold and Beyond by Laurie Hernandez

Laurie Hernandez, nicknamed the human emoji for her expressive face and large eyes, competed on the American women's gymnastics in the 2016 Rio Olympic games, tells her story of rigorous training, success, and sacrifice. Her writing is as funny and expressive as her personality.

9. Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything by Aly Raismen

Aly Raisman competed in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic games in women's gymnastics, she was even the team captain in 2016. Aly's book follows the battles the fought to the podium. It covers everything from classmates body shaming her athletic features to her experience with Larry Nassar, the doctor who treated the USA Gymnastics athletes and sexually abused them at the same.

10. Courage to Sour: A Body in Motion by Simone Biles

Simone Biles has been hailed as the best gymnast alive today and perhaps ever. She competed alongside Aly Raismen, Gabby Douglas, and Laurie Hernandez at the Rio 2016 and, like Douglas before her Biles came back to America with a gold in the team event, the individual all around, and medals in a few other events. Simone's story is unique to her, as all these gymnasts stories her, and starts with her memories of foster care and ends with Olympic success. Podium, gold medal, and all.

So there you go. Now you can enjoy amazing Olympic stories, to motivate you through the next two years. See you at the 2020 Tokyo summer games.