I love track and field, but I also know the day will come when I will have to do something else.

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.

The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing.

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

The London games mark the 24th anniversary of my winning two golds and setting the world record in the heptathlon. Someone is going to want it; records are made to be broken - it's only a matter of time. I hope mine will outlive me.

There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.

The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening.