A bird, music and food -desert island items

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.

Along with trustworthiness, consistency is the thing to look for when you surround yourself with people who can help you on your quest.

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 had already been into my professional career for six years and had not won an individual gold medal at the Olympics. There was a tremendous amount of pressure going into 1996 to get it done.

Be who you are in every situation.

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