Los Angeles was great fun because it was the polar opposite of Moscow in 1980. It was sunny and bright, lots of colours around, whereas Moscow was dark and oppressive.

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

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

I am only about winning and getting better.

Athletes these days are too robotic. People like to see performances filled with emotion. In my career I tried to be amusing, to differentiate myself from the other champions.

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

Sport fosters many things that are good; teamwork and leadership.