I think what my parents did was perfect. They were strict, concerned about my safety and held me back just a little.

It took me time to realize that the men who won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon are just men, just like me.

You have to be able to be a good loser. You have to be okay knowing you're going to fail every day in something without getting mad and upset.

There is nothing better than having a personal-best day, being in shape and pushing myself beyond my own limits.

Breaking the world record in '92 was a very special personal moment, but I'd say my favorite moment as a decathlete was winning the Olympic gold medal.

You can only look forward to a South Dakota winter if, as with childbirth, remodeling a house, or writing a novel, you're able to forget how bad it was the last time.

I got interested in decathlon because a coach that I had was a big fan of Bruce Jenner, and he just saw the ability in me - but when it came down to it, I knew my best chance at a college scholarship would be in track and field.