I work hard to improve myself as a person - as a father, as a husband, as a manager. I'm always on that mission.

I believe that it is better to learn from the diverse people around us than to try in vain to emulate them, better to be a teacher than a role model. As strong as my legs are, it is my mind that has made me a champion.

Don't shoot for something unattainable - completely outside of your nature or opportunity.

A good mentor offers directions and driving tips from the back seat. You still have to drive the car.

The only way to deal with loss - as a horribly unwelcome guest that you know will show up eventually. And so you deny it and reject it and ignore it and laugh in its face. You toss it out into the street and push it away and fight it off, and only it has landed square in your lap, only then do you deal with it.

I don't always do a lot of predicting, but, when I get a really strong feeling about something, I will tell people.

Opting for gold shoes could have been considered downright cocky, but I was confident and never doubted my ability to deliver gold medals to match my shimmering footwear.