I still can't believe I'm an Olympic athlete. — Shawn Johnson
The Olympic Games were created for the exhaltation of the individual athlete. — Pierre de Coubertin
It's something special to break the world record at the Olympics. — David Rudisha
Everyone is an athlete. The only difference is that some of us are in training, and some are not. — George A. Sheehan
I didn't train to make the Olympic team until 1968. I simply trained for the moment. I never even imagined I would be an Olympic athlete. It always seemed to evolve. — Dick Fosbury
An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head. — Emil Zatopek
One of the redeeming things about being an athlete is redefining what is humanly possible. — Lance Armstrong
The ultimate would be to compete in a couple more Olympics, hopefully break some world records and wind up my sports career with a couple of years in the WNBA. — Marion Jones
I am now a legend. I am also the greatest athlete to live. — Usain Bolt
Some of today's athletes do not have that kind of pride. They left school at 16, have never had a job in their life and are getting Lottery funding, earning money as an athlete. — Linford Christie
Durability is part of what makes a great athlete. — Bill Russell
Female success stories from sporting events like the Olympic Games have played a role in shifting the Indian perception to see the female athlete as a hero and a role model for young Indian girls. — Richard Attias
The feeling of accomplishment welled up inside of me, three Olympic gold medals. I knew that was something nobody could ever take away from me, ever. — Wilma Rudolph
Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of a good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. — Pierre de Coubertin
Short Olympic Athlete Quotes
Meeting sports athletes that are the best in the world is a thrill to this day. — Phil Knight
The Olympic Spirit is neither the property of one race nor of one age. — Pierre de Coubertin
The Olympic Games are for the world and all nations must be admitted to them. — Pierre de Coubertin
Olympism... exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, mind and will. — Pierre de Coubertin
I want to be remembered as a great athlete. As a boxing champion. — Idi Amin
I swim when I am injured. What the best guys do is so hard. Michael Phelps is the best. — Usain Bolt
Athlete Running Quotes
God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. — Eric Liddell
I wanted no part of politics. And I wasn't in Berlin to compete against any one athlete. The purpose of the Olympics, anyway, was to do your best. As I'd learned long ago from Charles Riley, the only victory that counts is the one over yourself. — Jesse Owens
All athletes need three things: commitment, discipline and hard work. Without that it's hard to keep running. — Haile Gebrselassie
I didn't reach my athletic peak until I was 43. I didn't write my first book until I was 44. I didn't start my podcast until I was 45. At 30, I thought my life was over. At 52 I know it's just beginning. Keep running. Never give up. And watch your kite soar. — Rich Roll
I wanted the world to know that my country Ethiopia has always won with determination and heroism. — Abebe Bikila
I can play basketball, run track, and play volleyball, so yeah, I’ve always been an athlete at heart. — Vivica Fox
There is something about the ritual of the race - putting on the number, lining up, being timed - that brings out the best in us. — Grete Waitz
The more I run, the more I want to run, and the more I live a life conditioned and influenced and fashioned by my running. And the more I run, the more certain I am that I am heading for my real goal: to become the person I am. — George A. Sheehan
Several of my critics have said, 'Bowerman just tacks up a piece of paper in the locker room and turns his runners loose.' They're partially right. I do give the athletes a relatively free rein and for good reason. One of my principles is? 'Don't overcoach.' — Bill Bowerman
When I race my mind is full of doubts - who will finish second, who will finish third? — Noureddine Morceli
Olympic Runner Quotes
The marathon is a charismatic event. It has everything. It has drama. It has competition. Every jogger can't dream of being an Olympic champion, but he can dream of finishing a marathon. — Fred Lebow
It's probably the toughest distance race in the world to win. World class runners from 1500m to the marathon contest it and instead of just three runners from each country, like in the Olympics or World Championships, in the senior men's race there are nine. — Paul Tergat
Runners in the western world have a tendency to create psychological barriers for themselves, but Morceli runs at will, with no inhibitions. — Eamonn Coghlan
I run to be known as the greatest runner, the greatest of all time. I could not eat or sleep for a week after I lost in the (1992) Olympics. I have to win or die. — Noureddine Morceli
I would be disappointed if I were remembered as a runner because I feelthat my contribution to the youth of America has far exceeded the woman who was the Olympic champion. — Wilma Rudolph
Not all the Greek runners in the original Olympics were totally naked. Some wore shoes. — Mark Twain
No, I don't run all the way. I'm not like an Olympic class runner. — Bruce McCulloch
Prior to the 1976 Olympics, I was a 5,000m runner. — Don Kardong
Being an Olympic runner and now a mommy, it is so important to me to help my children learn early on how to be active and stay healthy. — Carrie Tollefson
The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit for Him. — Joseph Stowell
Olympic Day Quotes
Hard days are the best because that's when champions are made. — Gabby Douglas
Zeus, the father of the Olympic Gods, turned mid-day into night, hiding the light of the dazzling Sun; and sore fear came upon men. — Archilochus
You dream about the Olympics for so long and you have that one day, then it's over, and when you don't run well there is this huge letdown. It took me years to deal with that. I feel like I almost had to cleanse myself of that experience. — Ryan Hall
One shouldn't be afraid to lose; this is sport. One day you win; another day you lose. Of course, everyone wants to be the best. This is normal. This is what sport is about. This is why I love it. — Oksana Baiul
Seriously, the Olympic badminton players were apparently trying to lose on purpose, a big story. But really, think about it, if you train day and night for four years to be in the Olympics for badminton, in a way, haven't you already lost? — Conan O'Brien
Is a BJ adultery? What? Did I miss a day of school? Of course it is! Oral sex is adultery like Curling is an Olympic sport. The only thing is, oral sex should be in the Olympics because it's much harder than Curling, and if you're good at it, you DESERVE a medal! — Lewis Black
I started in law school in '71 and graduated in '74. So I was training for the Olympics, running or averaging around 20 miles a day and going to law school full time. — Frank Shorter
Biathletes need to eat 6.000 calories a day: six thousand! That's the equivalent of 2 pounds of butter, 70 slices of bread, 112 eggs, 86 tabs of yogurts, 28 potatoes, 117 biscuits and 21 TWIX bars. On that basis, I could be an Olympic biathlete! — Jeremy Clarkson
In Hollywood you can see things at night that are fast enough to be in the Olympics in the day time. — Will Rogers
It's different today than it was then. In those days we were strictly amateurs. If I had wanted to stay in for the '80 Olympics, my parents couldn't have afforded it. — Dorothy Hamill
Olympian Quotes
I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. — Eric Liddell
Love conquers all," Aphrodite promised. "Look at Helen and Paris. Did they let anything come between them?" "Didn't they start the Trojan War and get thousands of people killed?" "Pfft. That's not the point. Follow your heart. — Rick Riordan
The potential for greatness lives within us all. — Wilma Rudolph
"We're staying together," he promised. "You're not getting away from me. Never again." — Rick Riordan
Hestia shook her head. "I am here because when all else fails, when all the other mighty gods have gone off to war, I am all that's left. Home. Hearth. I am the last Olympian — Rick Riordan
'You're Dionysus,' I said. 'The god of wine.' Mr. D rolled his eyes. 'What do they say these days, Grover? Do the children say "Well duh!"?' 'Y-yes, Mr. D.' 'Then, "Well, duh!" Percy Jackson. Did you think I was Aphrodite, perhaps?' 'You're a god.' 'Yes, child.' 'A god. You.' — Rick Riordan
Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It's our goal in life to find it and keep it. — Mary Lou Retton
This is Buford,” Leo announced. “You name your furniture?” Frank asked. — Rick Riordan
This is Annabeth,” Jason said. “Uh, normally she doesn't judo-flip people. — Rick Riordan
You're cute when you're worried, your eyebrows get all scrunched together. — Rick Riordan
Olympic Games Quotes
Victory is in having done your best. If you've done your best, you've won. — Bill Bowerman
The only victory that counts is the one over yourself. — Jesse Owens
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well. — Pierre de Coubertin
Fred Davis, the doyen of snooker, now 67 years of age and too old to get his leg over, prefers to use his left hand. — Ted Lowe
We didn't underestimate them. They were just a lot better than we thought. — Bobby Robson
Strangely, in slow motion replay, the ball seemed to hang in the air for even longer. — David Acfield
It's all about the journey, not the outcome. — Carl Lewis
Performance enhancing drugs are banned in the Olympics. OK, we can swing with that. But performance 'debilitating' drugs should not be banned. Smoke a joint and win the 100 metres, fair play for you. That's pretty good. Unless someone's dangling a Mars bar off in the distance. — Eddie Izzard
As many as three million people are expected to attend the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. The security concerns and economic opportunities are great for both Canada and Washington state. — Rick Larsen
I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel. — Stuart Pearce
Olympic Medals Quotes
If surviving assassination attempts were an Olympic event, I would win the gold medal. — Fidel Castro
People say that it was degrading for an Olympic champion to run against a horse, but what was I supposed to do? I had four gold medals, but you can't eat four gold medals. There was no television, no big advertising, no endorsements then. Not for a black man, anyway. — Jesse Owens
After I came home from the 1936 Olympics with my four medals, it became increasingly apparent that everyone was going to slap me on the back, want to shake my hand or have me up to their suite. But no one was going to offer me a job. — Jesse Owens
Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work — Andre Agassi
The greatest memory for me of the 1984 Olympics was not the individual honors, but standing on the podium with my teammates to receive our team gold medal. — Mitch Gaylord
If you dream and you allow yourself to dream you can do anything. — Clara Hughes
Winning medals wasn't the point of the Olympics. It's the participating that counts. — Pierre de Coubertin
Never put an age limit on your dreams. — Dara Torres
I didn't set out to beat the world; I just set out to do my absolute best. — Shaun White
I've been training super hard at the Lopez Taekwondo Academy in Houston, which belongs to my brother Jean. For me, I think confidence is the biggest thing; it's all mental. I train with the best of the best, including my brother Steven, a five-time world champion who won Olympic gold medals. — Diana Lopez
Athlete Quotes
Good athletes do not know what tiredness is. They do not know what discouragement is. Good athletes only know what victory is. — Fidel Castro
Somewhere behind the athlete you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back... play for her. — Mia Hamm
Win or lose you will never regret working hard, making sacrifices, being disciplined or focusing too much. Success is measured by what we have done to prepare for competition. — John Smith
You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. — Serena Williams
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. — Muhammad Ali
The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team. — Phil Jackson
A clean, hard-fought wrestling match is the most honest of athletic contests. There is no technological interventions, no teammates to blame, no panel of judges to bias the score. In wrestling, you compete or you quit. No alibis. I like that — Dan Gable
The prayer offered to God in the morning during your quiet time is the key that unlocks the door of the day. Any athlete knows that it is the start that ensures a good finish. — Adrian Rogers
Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-a desire, a dream, a vision. — Muhammad Ali
When I'd get tired and want to stop, I'd wonder what my next opponent was doing. I'd wonder if he was still working out. I'd tried to visualize him. When I could see him working, I'd start pushing myself. When I could see him in the shower, I'd push myself harder. — Dan Gable
Olympic Quotes
You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence, you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory. — Eunice Kennedy Shriver
The obvious goals were there- State Champion, NCAA Champion, Olympic Champion. To get there I had to set an everyday goal which was to push myself to exhaustion or, in other words, to work so hard in practice that someone would have to carry me off the mat. — Dan Gable
Passover and Easter are the only Jewish and Christian holidays that move in sync, like the ice skating pairs we saw during the winter Olympics. — Marvin Olasky
The U.S. Olympic spirit award is an award that is given to an athlete who embodies the Olympic spirit in more ways than just on the playing field, in showing incredible perseverance, in overcoming obstacles, and what we wanted to do is have everybody can vote on-line. — Brian Boitano
The world awaits Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympics, an occasion which will bring into the global spotlight the dramatic advances China is making in enhancing the quality of life for its people. — Alexander Haig
Part of what Special Olympics is trying to do is break down stereotypes that still exist for people. There is still a lot of fear. — Maria Shriver
May joy and good fellowship reign, and in this manner, may the Olympic Torch pursue its way through ages, increasing friendly understanding among nations, for the good of a humanity always more enthusiastic, more courageous and more pure. — Pierre de Coubertin
Squash has the credentials to become an olympic event and our goal is to see the sport in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We are working towards this and will keep trying even if our bid is not successful. — Jahangir Khan
Before I was an actor I was a break dancer, one of those street performers you see. I guess my introduction into the professional world of performing was a stint as back up dancer for Lionel Richie and I performed at the closing ceremony at the '84 Olympics. — Cuba Gooding, Jr.
It is difficulties that show what men are. For the future, in case of any difficulty, remember that God, like a gymnastic trainer, has pitted you against a rough antagonist. For what end? That you may be an Olympic conqueror; and this cannot be without toil. — Epictetus
Training For The Olympics Quotes
A lot of the Olympic games just boil down to genetics. Michael Phelps is genetically built to swim better than other people if he trains the same way. You might as well have a competition for who's the tallest, and act like it's anyone's game! — Doug Stanhope
I was always a fan but me and Kevin Pattero, he was a friend of mine who trained for the Olympic games in 1972 he and I became very close friends and roommates and I kind of rode his coattails into the business. — Ric Flair
Harder than training for the Olympics, harder than graduating from college, has been to stay a virgin before marriage. — Lolo Jones
You have to train your mind like you train your body. — Bruce Jenner
Training with Bela and Marta Karolyi took the joy out of the Olympics for me. I look back and feel there was a lot of verbal and physical abuse. For years, I felt it was my problem. — Dominique Moceanu
Training for the Olympics was a lifelong endeavor and took many years. — Kristi Yamaguchi
The water here in Cardiff is much easier than in London, so for us it is more relaxing paddling here. This race is for us a continuation of our training, we will compete in only this World cup. We don't want to travel too much before the Olympic Games and we want to focus on the Games. — Pavol Hochschorner
I've decided to make my main priority for the next two years not playing the violin, but training for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. — Vanessa Mae
The spirit of the Olympic movement is great for young people because it teaches them about the training and discipline required to compete. Even if they don't make the teams, they can rededicate their lives to the art of sport, discipline, and physical fitness. — Richard M. Daley
Of course, when you're training your whole life to get to the Olympics, you train for gold. — Shawn Johnson
Pro Athlete Quotes
I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field. — Walter Payton
People complain that pro athletes make a lot of money; but what they don't understand is that we need a lot of money because we spend a lot of money. — Patrick Ewing
Stop saying athletes do it for the love of the game. They do it for the love of their 32-room mansion with the live shark tank in the living room. If pro sports paid minimum wage, Shaquille O'Neal would be a bouncer at Scores, and Anna Kournikova would be a mail-order bride from Minsk. — Bill Maher
He hasn't shown me anything but how he carries himself as a professional man, husband, father and athlete. Tom Brady is a pro's pro. I love the man and everything he's accomplished. — Randy Moss
"I've always been a proponent of "if you're going to do something, do it right." I applied that across all aspects of my shooting - planning, setting up shoots, getting up early, working with athletes and models, working with clients etc. Just being a pro about it. — Jimmy Chin
Do I midnight snack? Not a lot, but sometimes. And it's usually Doritos Cooler Ranch. I know that's terrible, especially for a pro athlete, but they're just so good. — Clint Mathis
The pro athlete is a sad tale. He signs a big contract and thinks he's set for life. I didn't think I was set for life, and I don't now. As athletes, we are important, celebrities, in demand and rich. Then we are out of the game and we are not important, not celebrities, not in demand and not rich. — Fran Tarkenton
Hip-hop and being a pro athlete go hand in hand. When they come together, it's a win, not just for your business brand but also for culture. — Kendrick Lamar
In college I never realized the opportunities available to a pro athlete. I've been given the chance to meet all kinds of people, to travel and expand my financial capabilities, to get ideas and learn about life, to create a world apart from basketball. — Michael Jordan
A sportswriter's life means never sitting with your wife or family at the games. Still working after everyone has gone to the party... Digging beneath a coach's lies, not to forget those of athletic directors and general managers and owners of pro teams. Keeping a confidence. Risking it. — Dan Jenkins
Ballet dancing is arduous, strenuous activity. Students are engaged in physical training that rivals the training Olympic athletes undergo. At the same time, they strive for physical perfection not for the prowess alone but as a way of achieving the means necessary to express the pure nature of their art. — George Balanchine
In 2008 I didn't take it all in enough. I was so wrapped up in just the competition that I missed what was going on around me. If I am given that opportunity again to go to the Olympics and be an athlete I want to take it all in because I feel like this is my last shot and I want to feel the team spirit. I want to really live and breathe the USA. — Shawn Johnson
The female body is a masterpiece. Everyone likes to look at the female body, especially in dynamic, athletic sport. — Natalie Cook
It has been said that the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games is something that an athlete will remember for the rest of their life. It is true. That moment when you walk into the Olympic Stadium as part of the Australian Olympic Team, is a moment that I will never forget. — Jeff Fenech
There is something in the Olympics, indefinable, springing from the soul, that must be preserved. — Chris Brasher
There's always a point where you get knocked down. But I draw on what I've learned on the track: If you work hard, things will work out. — Lolo Jones
It is the inspiration of the Olympic Games that drives people not only to compete but to improve, and to bring lasting spiritual and moral benefits to the athlete and inspiration to those lucky enough to witness the athletic dedication. — Herb Elliott
Young people and Indian people need to know that we existed in the 20th Century. We need to know who our heroes are and to know what we have done and accomplished in this century other than what Olympic athletes Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills have done. — Russell Means
Nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination. — Michael Phelps
If you're fail to prepare, you're prepared to fail. — Mark Spitz
Olympics are probably the most important thing for Russians than any other athletes in the whole world. Since I was a little kid and since everybody was a little kid, their dream was playing in Olympic Games, especially if we have a chance to represent our country in Sochi, it's unbelievable and it's going to be a great thing. — Alexander Ovechkin
For athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their worth. — Mary Lou Retton
Every once in a while I run the Olympic downhill in Japan in my head. I think of how the energy is going to flow and then I make it all work for myself. — Picabo Street
I had female role models to look up to starting in middle school, athletes like Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm who made me realize that there was room in the world of sports for women. They ignited my dream of becoming an Olympic athlete. — Jennie Finch
My father's encouragement is what has brought me this far, because when I grew up I wanted to be like him, and I knew I had that ability to become an athlete. Being an Olympian is one of the greatest things, and being an Olympic gold medallist is one of the most prestigious titles in the world. — David Rudisha
I've always seen the Olympics as a place where you could act out your differences on the athletic field with a sense of sportsmanship and fairness and mutual respect. — Andrew Young
For too long the world has failed to recognise that the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement are about fine athletics and fine art. — Avery Brundage
Qualifying for this Olympic team has been the most stressful experience of my athletic career. It has taught me so much about myself and how to handle high-pressure moments. I've learned to become my own biggest cheerleader, always feeding myself positive thoughts, visualizing myself winning, and most importantly focusing on each individual point. — Ibtihaj Muhammad
I've never thought of the Olympics as a political statement. I really think a boycott ... is in the wrong as far as the athletes are concerned. — Johnny Weir
As a teenager I had no idea that I had the potential to win an Olympic gold medal and my athletic career developed only by lucky circumstances. — Peter Snell
You can't be a creative thinker if you're not stimulating your mind, just as you can't be an Olympic athlete if you don't train regularly. — Ken Robinson
The favorite to win the Olympic gold medal in archery is a legally blind athlete from South Korea, mainly because everyone else is too scared to compete next to him. — Jimmy Fallon
I get more gratification out of getting some obese person who had a heart attack running around and enjoying life within a year. I get more gratification from that than putting a person in the Olympic Games. The Olympic athlete probably doesn't appreciate what you've done, but the other guy does. I think it's really rewarding. — Arthur Lydiard
Curling is not a sport. I called my grandmother and told her she could win a gold medal because they have dusting in the Olympics now. — Charles Barkley
This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports bestows. — Olga Korbut
As a young girl, I just wanted to have fun and compete. There were no goals of becoming an Olympic athlete. I wanted to hang out with my friends. I wanted to do something fun, and that's what I did — Lolo Jones
I have the mentality of a winner. I first went to the Olympic Games when I was 17, three weeks after my O-levels, and I remember sitting in a dining-hall filled with the world's best athletes. — Daley Thompson
It was bad enough to have toppled from the Olympic heights to make my living competing with animals. But the competition wasn't even fair. No man could beat a race horse, not even for 100 yards. — Jesse Owens
Many of those who have paid the ultimate price for freedom have come through the wrestling ranks. We need to honor them and win this decision to have wrestling - the world's oldest sport - remain a part of the most prestigious athletic competition in the world, the Olympics. — Dan Gable
I want to compete in the next Olympics. If I go to Rio, it will be my third time, which is a rare feat for an Indian athlete. For me, Olympics is important because it's the biggest event on earth for a sports person. I hope this time around I come back with a medal. — Vijender Singh
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