My mom put me and my sisters in the water to feel comfortable, to have water safety.

Being able to do something that's never been done before, that's what I've always wanted to do. . . . There was nothing that was going to stand in my way of being the first.

My mom put me and my sisters in the water to feel comfortable, to have water safety.

One thing with me, and every goal I've had - in the sport of swimming, my mother didn't know my goals. The only person that knew my goals were my coaches.

I always have on my headphones to block out all of the other distractions and I'm just focused on doing the best that I can.... There a few of them ... DMX Party Up ... Mack 10 BC and Ice Cube Connected for Life. I also listen to the Eminem CD ...whichever song really gets me going that night

It's the Olympics. If you can't get up to swim early in the morning, don't go.

It's cool just because I've had this dream of changing the sport of swimming and it's finally happening.