When I was younger, I was a complete tomboy. Then in college I started emerging out of the tomboy stage and dressing differently.

I don't need a captain's band to lead a team to victory.

I am proud of who I am, and nobody's going to steal that.

London 2012 is all about winning a medal. Not just any medal, the gold medal.

Female athletes are supposed to be toned down. You're always supposed to talk about the team and never stand out.

You know journalists. You know the media. They are going to hang on to anything negative they possibly can.

She [my mother] struggled, abusing alcohol for quite some time, and so we just kind of drifted apart. I went to college. But I dedicate the book to her because she is the true champion of the family. She kept our family together. She provided us with a roof over our head. She always worked.