I doubt we will ever see an opening ceremony as grand as the Beijing 2008 summer Olympics. It was a combination of state-of-the-art theater and technical achievements. The world gazed in awe as thousands of performers moved in unison. It almost seemed that the competitions to follow might be anticlimactic after this monumental kick-off celebration.

Then the parade of nations began and you instantly became aware of the pride, work, and determination of each athlete. You could tell by their taut bodies, their perfect postures, and their graceful movements that this was a parade of the best athletes in the world.

I, of course, also noticed their hair, which looked great.



This is no easy feat. Keeping hair healthy and beautiful while training several hours a day in the sun, water, and wind is almost impossible. You don't have to be an athlete to have dry hair problems. Frequent shampooing, blow dying, or excessive hair color can dry out hair. Steps can be taken to replace the moisture and pliability to your hair. Now is the time to begin.

The best way to avoid dry hair is to be pro-active and prevent it from occurring. If you presently have a dry hair problem, you must make changes in your hair-care routine. Continuing to follow your present hair habits will only make your hair become more dry and brittle. Breakage can occur and hair heartache is guaranteed.

The first step to healthy hair that is dry is a good haircut -- the best remedy for dry hair. You literally eliminate your dry hair with a snip of the scissors and instantly look better. I know that many of you are thinking that you want to keep your hair long and a haircut is not the solution for you. Try to look at your hair objectively. Does it look pretty or dry and fly-away? Does your haircut fit your lifestyle?

Hair maintenance should be relatively easy. If you spend more than thirty minutes styling your hair, you have the wrong haircut. Note the hair cut of 41-year-old Dara Torres. She is an amazing athlete who qualified for five Olympic competitions. Her hair style is short, sassy, and chic. Her naturally blond hair is lightened from the pool and the sun. She looks as good (or better) than her competitors who are twenty years younger.

Shampoo your hair less and condition it more. Most active people I know shampoo their hair at least once a day. This can be very drying to all but the most oily hair. I always recommend shampooing your hair with conditioner every second or third shampoo, depending on your lifestyle and the texture of your hair. This will keep it clean and help to maintain its moisture. It is also essential to pick the right shampoo. If you are in the sun frequently, be sure to use a shampoo and conditioner with a UV protector. This will protect hair from extreme environmental stresses, help to control annoying static frizz, and most of all help to restore moisture balance.

Afro-American hair is much more delicate than Caucasian hair. Conditioners should almost always be used as shampoos. Excessive use of heated styling tools will break hair. Wearing hair as natural as possible is always best for active woman. Braids and twists like track and fields Olympian Allyson Felix wears always look great and help to maintain healthy hair if they're re-done frequently.

The more often you shampoo your hair, the more often you have to dry it. Styling tools such as blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons can be devastating to your hair. Always use hair dryers on the lowest settings. Never over-dry your hair. Let your hair dry naturally whenever possible. Too much heat from the sun can also easily destroy the condition of your hair. Well-ventilated hats assist in preventing sun damage. This is probably why second-time softball Olympian Jennie Finch's hair always looks great as she represents the United States. Who would have guessed a baseball hat was really the best hair sun block?

The games have begun and the women athletes, while totally focused on their sport, obviously have not ignored their appearance. Beijing has never looked so beautiful.