The 2012 London Olympic Games fostered a generation of hope. I witnessed women participating for the very first time, representing every nation.
Getting to know athletes from all over the planet is a big part of the Olympic experience.
First and foremost, my involvement within the Olympic pursuit and Games were obviously surrounded by only putting the absolute best nutrients into my body.
Breaking the world record in '92 was a very special personal moment, but I'd say my favorite moment as a decathlete was winning the Olympic gold medal. It was a lot of years of work, and when I won it, it was more a sense of relief than jubilation or exaltation.
The U.S. Olympic spirit award is an award that is given to an athlete who embodies the Olympic spirit in more ways than just on the playing field, in showing incredible perseverance, in overcoming obstacles, and what we wanted to do is have everybody can vote on-line.
I ran the effort to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to New York City. We lost - on a global scale. To my surprise, life went on, and I learnt that nobody cares about your failures as much as you do.
The opportunity to represent your country at the Olympic Games is earned, not given.
I am European Games champion now as well as Olympic champion, European champion, and world champion.
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.
I really feel like that concept of enjoying the now and not worrying about the future is what my coach has been trying to teach me for 14 years - and that is what has made me such a different athlete 10 years later, and that is what has made me strong enough mentally to make this Olympic team.
I love short track. I competed in short track, I was a world champion in 1986 but at that point in time it wasn't in the Olympic Games so I moved into long track. Short track is a blast to skate and it's a blast to watch.
I would be happy with an Olympic bronze. What I don't have is an Olympic medal.
Former Olympians also get paid to make appearances. Many of them won their medals in an era when Olympic success didn't go hand-in-hand with financial success.
There's not a whole lot of events out there on television, especially in the years between Olympic Games.
It is pretty amazing. My parents, who came from Nicaragua to the U.S. - who would have thought that they would have American kids on the Olympic team? I think that's the epitome of the Olympic dream.
Winning the Olympics was an amazing feeling, but afterwards, it was a bit like, 'What do I do now?' So I lost a bit of motivation going back into training and competitions; I had so much pressure on me. I kept thinking, 'I'm the Olympic champion. I can't lose' - being only 19 and having to deal with all that pressure.
If I were to compare the Olympic decathlon to fatherhood, I would say fatherhood is a lot tougher.
I always thought the Vancouver Olympics would be my last destination, but I'm extending it to Sochi... I want to start anew, not as an Olympic medalist but just as yet another figure skater.
The Olympic games are already there and we don't have even half of what you need to train well.
The fans and supporters are also part of the Olympic family.
For most of the track world, the Olympic year is such a huge year, and it's a big year for us marathoners too.
You do not boo an Olympic Gold Medalist. I'm the best in the world. I came here for you. You don't boo me.
Olympic medals are the one medal that I don't have; I've won just about every other competition that I've been at.
I wouldn't say that there's ever been an Olympic champion that didn't deserve to win an Olympic Gold Medal.
Remember before nineteen seventy two Olympic Games I was total skinny, I was small, very strong, they may be don't like to see a gymnastics like that. I don't know but, gymnastics, might. Nineteen seventy two supposed to be change somewhere.
All the guys called the Olympic Village a high-class Boy Scout camp.
Growing up, Michael Jordan was my Olympic hero.
That's because the International Olympic Committee has a policy of never replacing medals.
I had been on the junior Olympic team in high school for trampoline; I could do twenty-six back flips in a row.
I feel like the thing that motivates me is not making the Olympic team. If I'm having a rough day, I think about how bad I want it.
In 1981, I spoke at the Olympic Congress. I was scandalised that I was the first athlete to be given that chance. But I made the most of it.
I never thought about competing in the Olympic Games when I was growing up.
I missed the Olympic team in 1996 - missed making the team. I tried to make a comeback in my sport, and soon after the Olympic trials, Johann Olav Koss, who is a Norwegian speed-skater, called me up and asked me to be a part of Olympic Aid. Now Olympic Aid is Right to Play. It's a wonderful, narrow focus.
I have always had a dream to take part in an Olympic Games, and losing my leg didn't change anything.
We enter the government essentially in a hotel that is on fire. We're throwing people from the windows into the pool to save their lives and this is the evaluation of the Olympic diving committee: Well, the splash was too big.
When you're expected to win and you have the press saying that you are going to win the Olympic gold medal, and you're the only sure thing in the Olympics, it can undermine your confidence.