There are days when coaching and training don’t seem to be worth it. Those are the days that distinguish between champions and non-champions. Olympians face those days, too. This is what they learned, and what motivated them to reach the podium.
“Nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it couldn’t be done, all it takes is an imagination.”
– Michael Phelps
“The things you learn from sports–setting goals, being part of a team, confidence – that’s invaluable. It’s not about trophies and ribbons. It’s about being on time for practice, accepting challenges and being fearful of the elements.”
– Summer Sanders
“I want to test my maximum and see how much I can do.”
– Michael Phelps
“Swimming is a gift-my gift. It can’t just be about, “Kill the competitor.” It’s got to be about the gratification of achieving and making the most of it while I’m still physically able. Above all else it’s got to be about having the most fun that I can. Because that’s when I truly feel like me.”
– Jenny Thompson
“I think it’s better to attempt something and fail than it is to not even attempt it, so I’m glad that I’ve been prepared to put myself on the line there.”
– Ian Thorpe
“Life is true to form; records are meant to be broken.”
– Mark Spitz
“For myself, losing is not coming second. It’s getting out of the water knowing you could have done better.”
– Ian Thorpe
“The water doesn’t know how old you are.”
– Dara Torres
“The most important lesson I’ve learned from sports is how to be not only a gracious winner, but a good loser as well. Not everyone wins all the time, as a matter of fact, no one wins all the time. Winning is the easy part, losing is really tough. But, you learn more from one loss than you do from a million wins. You learn a lot about sportsmanship.”
-Amy Van Dyken
“I swam my brains out.”
– Mark Spitz
Recite these Olympic swimmer quotes to yourself in the water while you focus on the black line. Someday, maybe you’ll be the person people quote.