I was 20 when I heard the words: All it takes is a little confidence. I was a college girl, sitting in a theater watching The Sting.

I heard the dialogue, but missed the point.

Now, years later, Ive spent two weeks watching other girls tiny gymnasts, beautiful swimmers and thrilling judo experts twisting, splashing and pounding their way to gold.

Throughout the 2012 Summer Olympics, which end today, newscasters have spoken about the fruit of Title IX and the role of women in sports.

Every twist of Gabby Douglas body has been analyzed, and the descriptions of the graceful strokes of Missy Franklin have lasted far longer than the 2 minutes and 4.06 seconds she took to set a world record.

Sure, its all about the training, the science and the art of coaching these youngsters to their amazing physical feats. While we Americans have rejected the Chinese model of locking athletes away in authoritarian sports camps, our nations method of producing champions is demonstrably successful.

The key to the success these young American women and young men have achieved in London is more than determination, strength, skill and luck. It also consists of a gift that surpasses any other gift one person can give to another.

Confidence or the lack of it is something that expresses itself when we compare ourselves to others.

I lacked confidence when I was a young woman because I never felt as smart as my siblings, as pretty as my classmates or as popular as the cheerleaders who were the queens of my small-town Texas high school.

My comparisons changed a little when I received a gift. My English teacher held up something I had done as an example of good writing. You may disagree with her now, but I was the happiest thing in bell-bottom pants and platform shoes that day. She had given me confidence.

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Games and life are all a matter of confidence (Frances Coleman)