A champion plays the game; a spectator observes, criticizes and never really gets to live. A champion knows what he or she wants and goes after it with carefully calculated goals and no-holds-barred action. A spectator feels that his or her life is not their own. They let others dictate their destiny. They become victims of life instead of masters of it.

If I die... I'd be so mad at myself that I didn't explore that side of me.

It's not just about me. It's about all of us, accepting one another. We're all different... That's a good thing.

People are either driven to action or complacency, mission or rust. You're either participating in the Game of Life or you're watching it from the grandstands.

If you're going to dedicate every second to winning the decathlon, what are you doing wasting your time in bed?

What I'm doing is going to do some good and we're going to change the world.

Waving the flag at the 1976 Olympics wasn't my idea. It was too much apple pie and ice cream. Not that I don't love my country, but I felt it was my victory up there, I put all the time into it.