The Olympics are only once every four years so you have to take advantage of all your opportunities, both to be an inspiration to people and help support your sponsors who help you.

Success is always an easier motivator, because you want more of it. But I've also been motivated by failure. Had I medaled in London, I don't think I would be one of the few that have gone to a Summer and Winter. I would have been content with that medal. Instead, I used that failure to go to the Winter Olympics. I always tell people that failure can be one of your biggest motivators if you just have an attitude adjustment about it.

Harder than training for the Olympics, harder than graduating from college, has been to stay a virgin before marriage.

Running was like the friend that never left. It was just always there.

There's always a point where you get knocked down. But I draw on what I've learned on the track: If you work hard, things will work out.

As a young girl, I just wanted to have fun and compete. There were no goals of becoming an Olympic athlete. I wanted to hang out with my friends. I wanted to do something fun, and that's what I did

Believe it or not, Twitter calms me down. I enjoy interacting with people.