To me, the definition of focus is knowing exactly where you want to be today, next week, next month, next year, then never deviating from your plan. Once you can see, touch and feel your objective, all you have to do is pull back and put all your strength behind it, and you'll hit your target every time.

Fear is part of the process. If you weren't scared, you'd be in trouble.

I spent twelve years training for a career that was over in a week. Joe Namath spent one week training for a career that lasted twelve years.

I firmly believe that deep in their soul everyone has a champion that can overcome obstacles and do great things.

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.

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

When the time comes for your brain to process the information, the second word comes up faster than the first one. So when it's in your head, all of a sudden, it comes out backwards and you think of the word backwards.