There were only ever two black kids at my school. I never considered myself to be 'a black kid'. I was who I was. Which isn't to say things haven't happened to me that wouldn't have happened if I wasn't black.

For kids it's natural to be competitive.

Being a decathlete is like having ten girlfriends. You have to love them all, and you can't afford losing one.

I'm obsessive. I want to know the answer to how good I am. Most people aren't.

You can be an Olympic champion in 9.5 secs, but to be the greatest, there's more to it. It takes a bit of forethought and a lot of mental application.

When I lost my decathlon world record I took it like a man. I only cried for ten hours.

Even if you've been involved in a World Cup, the Olympics is huge. Only the Games has the power to change communities.