The Olympics are all about testing the limits of human performance, and GM commercials aside, the games don't have much in common with cars. Individual athletes are another story. Like Olympic athletes, automakers are constantly striving for the next big win. Some models pay off, others don't. Check out this list of Olympic athletes and the cars that go with their personalities and track records.

Michael Phelps (American Swimmer)

It'd be easy to compare Michael Phelps to the sQuba submarine car, but he's probably faster than it is. No, the car eight-time gold medal winner Phelps has the most in common with is the Mazda CX-9, one of the most award-winning cars in recent memory. In addition to being named North American Truck of the Year, Motor Trend's SUV of the Year and as one of Car and Driver's 5Best Trucks, the CX-9 has won eleven awards for automotive publications such as Automobile Magazine and Kelly Blue Book.

He Kexin (Chinese Gymnast)

Just like no one is quite sure if Chinese Olympian He Kexin is 14 or 16, no one can agree if the redesigned  Honda Accord is a midsize or large car. The EPA classifies it as a large car, while most reviews and consumers compare it to the midsize Toyota Camry and Chevy Malibu. Like He, the Accord is an award winner. Unlike He, the Accord doesn't have any growing left to do.

Misty May-Trainer and Kerri Walsh (American Beach Volleyball Players)

Nothing says fun in the sun quite like beach volleyball, and much of the appeal of the women's game comes from the uniforms. The Jeep Wrangler has a similar fun-in-the-sun, go-anywhere vibe -- and you can even get a bikini top for it.

Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson (American Gymnasts)

Both Liukin and Johnson are regarded as standouts in their sport, but when the Olympic judges finally had their say, the two continually missed out on key medals. It's the same with the Chevy Malibu -- though it was voted North American Car of the Year, sales are still below the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Malibu continues to gain fans and sales -- here's hoping Liukin and Johnson can grab a few more medals too.

Shelly-Ann Frasier, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart (Jamaican Sprinters)

Jamaicans Fraiser, Simpson and Stewart swept the medal podium in the women's 100-meter race. And while sports cars would be the obvious comparison to these blazingly fast runners, we think they have more in common with the Honda Civic, Fit and Civic Hybrid, which gave Honda the 1-2-3 sweep in our Small Car Rankings.

 

Do you think other olympians share traits with cars? Discuss your olympic and automotive favorites below. If you're sick of looking at medal standings, check out how your favorite cars rank in the U.S. News full car rankings.