With the 2016 Olympics underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we have 15 unforgettable quotes from past Olympians. These quotes embody the determination, passion for life, self-discipline and these athletes have demonstrated to overcome life’s challenges to achieve their Olympic dreams.
“The Ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports.”
– Olga Korbut
“If you dream and you allow yourself to dream you can do anything.”
– Clara Hughes
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
– Muhammad Ali
“I don’t think you’re human if you don’t get nervous.”
– Sidney Crosby
“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self- discipline, and effort.”
– Jesse Owens
“As simple as it sounds, we all just try to be the best person we can: By making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we’ve been given.”
– Mary Lou Retton
“The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.”
– Bobby Knight
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
– Michael Jordan
“If you don’t have confidence, you’ll always find a way not to win.”
– Carl Lewis
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”
– Wilma Rudolph, USA gold medalist in track and field
“If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.”
– Mark Spitz
“Never put an age limit on your dreams.”
– Dara Torres, USA gold medalist in swimming
“Nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it couldn’t be done, all it takes is an imagination.”
– Michael Phelps, USA gold medalist in swimming
“Failure I can live with. Not trying is what I can’t handle!”
– Sanya Richards-Ross, USA bronze medalist at 400 meters
“Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and keep it lit.”
– Mary Lou Retton, winner of gold medal at 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games
