We Wanted to be Achievers, But Being an Achievers didn't Mean That You Stopped Being a Woman.

I think skating helped me find myself.

When I was on the ice, in the lights, with the music and the motion, there was a certain kind of flirtation that gave great energy and expressiveness to my performance.

I really loved what the guys were doing more than anything, how high they jumped, how effortless it was.

In 1968, in the midst of the tumultuous 1960s, the Olympics were much more than just another event

It's a level of strength and character that few of us can imagine; a grace under pressure that few of us will ever attain. It's why an Olympic gold medal would not have made us love or admire her more.

When the going got tough, I really had to draw on many of the same competitive instincts I did when I was skating. I really had to put my head down and stay positive. I had to fight.