With the Olympic games underway, who better to turn to than the best athletes in the world to motivate you up off the couch and onto the court or into the pool?
“I wouldn’t say anything is impossible. I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and put the work and time into it.”
— Michael Phelps, gold medalist in swimming in 2008 and 2004 and bronze medalist in 2004
“I am building a fire, and everyday I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.”
— Mia Hamm, gold medalist in women’s football in 2004 and 1996 and silver medalist in 2000
“When anyone tells me I can’t do anything, I’m just not listening anymore.”
— Florence Griffith-Joyner, gold medalist in athletics in 1988 and silver medalist in 1988 and 1984
“The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours.”
— Peggy Fleming, gold medalist in figure skating in 1968
“I’m trying to do the best I can. I’m not concerned with tomorrow, but with what goes on today.”
— Mark Spitz, gold medalist in swimming in 1972 and 1968 and silver and bronze medalist in 1968
“It’s all about the journey, not the outcome.”
— Carl Lewis, gold medalist in athletics in 1996, 1992, 1988 and 1984 and silver medalist in 1988
“You have to train your mind like you train your body.”
— Bruce Jenner, gold medalist in decathlon in 1976
“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, gold, silver and bronze medalist in gymnastics in 1984
“Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work.”
— Andre Agassi, gold medalist in tennis in 1996
“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, gold medalist in athletics in 1960 and bronze medalist in 1956
Inspirational quotes from Olympians
