Ask any athlete: We all hurt at times. I'm asking my body to go through seven different tasks. To ask it not to ache would be too much.

Winning is great, but being able to finish my last Olympic Games on American soil was very important. Even though I was injured, I didn't let my psyche get the best of me and cause me to doubt myself, so I was willing to pull every muscle in my body in '96 in order to get the job done and I came away with the bronze medal.

I'm not shy. I'm modest, but I'm very outgoing.

I set my sights on making an Olympic team, not realizing how tough it was going to be.

I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well.

I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.

Give back in some way. Always be thoughtful of others.