With literature, sometimes a book is presented in the media as being say, a Muslim story or an African story, when essentially it's a universal story which we can all relate to it, no matter what race or social background we come from

I was always trying to be leaner and thinner to fit the standard and the mold.

I was under pressure because of what people were saying about my physique.

To finish off this whole Olympics by finally getting the gold medal, it's the best feeling in the world.

It might have been easier to retire, to say my knee couldn't handle it and let that be that. At the same time, the prospect of not being able to compete in gymnastics anymore was heartbreaking.

Retiring was scary and it was tough to give up gymnastics, but so many great opportunities have come from it that I never expected.

In 2008 I didn't take it all in enough. I was so wrapped up in just the competition that I missed what was going on around me. If I am given that opportunity again to go to the Olympics and be an athlete I want to take it all in because I feel like this is my last shot and I want to feel the team spirit. I want to really live and breathe the USA.