My introduction to track racing was through the background of cross country running, which is not a sport perhaps as popular in America as it is in England.

My athleticism was really the core to social acceptance, because in those days the overwhelming number of students came from more of a public school background than I did.

To move into the lead means making an act requiring fierceness and confidence. But fear must play some part...no relaxation is possible, and all discretion is thrown into the wind.

My introduction to track racing was through the background of cross country running, which is not a sport perhaps as popular in America as it is in England.

The essence of sports is that while you're doing it, nothing else matters, but after you stop, there is a place, generally not very important, where you would put it.

We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable.

The human spirit is indomitable. No one can ever say you must not run faster than this or jump higher than that. There will never be a time when the human spirit will not be able to better existing records.