From the London Olympics to Euro 2012, athletes and sports fans the world over are be gearing up for an unforgettable summer of sport. In celebration, lots of our favourite fragrance brands have developed special sports fragrances that honour the strength, determination and drive of the modern athlete. Here we take a look at just some of the new generation of high performance, energy-boosting scents for men, and their various sources of inspiration…

Givenchy Play Sport Eau de Toilette, from £33.40 for 50ml
The scent: The pure sensuality of the original Play scent made fresher and more energetic. Givenchy Play Sport plays upon the icier aspect of sports fragrances, with a crystalline bottle and a scent that boasts a meeting of citrus and mint. Warmth comes in the form of the familiar Play note of amyris wood alongside ginger and pepper.

The inspiration: Instead of choosing a single sport, Givenchy Play Sport focuses upon the sporting passion of its face, Justin Timberlake. It is a laidback scent inspired by the skill of golf and the adrenaline rush of driving.

Ralph Lauren Polo Sport Eau de Toilette, from £36.55 for 75ml
The scent: This thrilling fragrance revises the ever-popular Polo Blue scent with a sporty twist, making it fresh and clean smelling with an added bite of mint. Subtly spicy heart notes of ginger and sage warm the skin like the sun, while a dry down of woods and amber leave a classical, masculine trail.

The inspiration: This lively fragrance is a little different to the others in that it is inspired by water sports. It is as fresh, invigorating and vital as the ocean.

Giorgio Armani Code Sport Athlete Eau de Toilette, £40.80 for 75ml
The scent: This lighter version of last year’s Armani Code Sport has been formulated as a skin quenching, mind invigorating boost for athletes both amateur and seasoned. Bright notes of bergamot and tangerine are paired with an intensely cool heart of three different mint notes. An addictive fragrance that boosts performance.

The inspiration: The ideal of the perfect athlete, and the participants of this year’s Olympic games.

Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Sport Eau de Toilette, £32.70 for 50ml
The scent: Fresh, woody and very refreshing, Issey Pour Homme Sport enlivens the senses with a shot of uplifting grapefruit and bergamot in the top notes. A heart of sweet nutmeg together with a drydown of woods reveals the more intense side of sportsmanship, with a resolute sense of masculinity that lingers on the skin.

The inspiration: Extreme sports and those who chase the narcotic of adrenaline. From bungee jumping to free running, L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Sport captures the boundless energy of thrill seekers.

Dolce & Gabanna The One Sport Eau de Toilette, from £32.00 for 30ml
The scent: The Mediterranean is the muse of this elixir of energy, a soulful place where the sun and sea provide the perfect backdrop for the modern day gladiator.  Quintessential Italian notes of rosemary, aquatic accord and sequoia wood comprise the signature of this fragrance. Added spicy cardamom and patchouli lend a more sensual character.

The inspiration: This exhilarating cocktail is inspired by the discipline, drive and vibrancy of the Italian athlete, a sportsman who has a great passion for the art of competition.

Boss Bottled Sport Eau de Toilette, from £29.00 for 30ml
The scent: This sports scent is one of the most stimulating fragrances of the bunch. Purposefully formulated to provide a boost of energy, Boss Bottled Sport blends grapefruit and yuzu zest in the top notes. A refreshing heart of lavender and aldehydic mist and a slightly sweet dry down of tonka and patchouli make for an unforgettable scent.

The inspiration: The scent brings together thrilling freshness with the cool hardness of carbon fibre in its slightly metallic heart notes. As the face of the fragrance, Formula 1 racing champ Jensen Button is the ideal source of inspiration.