Motivational Quotes from Olympic Athletes
by Whitney Hopler, Communications Manager
The Olympics bring the attention of people worldwide to the importance of well-being and leadership. Olympic athletes must take good care of their well-being and grow as leaders to succeed in their sports and inspire a watching world. Enjoy these famous motivational quotes from Olympic athletes:
“It’s not always about being the best; it’s about being my personal best and having fun and trying to always stay in a positive place.” – Jamie Anderson
“Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” – Michael Phelps
“Once you mentally prepare yourself to do the jump, that is really half the battle. … You’re so closed off mentally because of the fear of doing. But once you’re able to set that aside, a lot of things can happen.” – Nathan Chen
“I know that God is working through me within this sport. I know he’s put me here for a purpose and it’s not just to win medals.” – Elana Meyers
“At the end of the day, obviously there is going to be some pressure that comes along with it, but at the same time it’s like, you know, ‘Wow, these people really believe in me and have all this confidence in me.’ I think that pushes me to be better and motivates me.” – Chloe Kim
“Our parents have supported and encouraged us to follow our dreams. Knowing that we’ve had that unconditional love has meant a lot to the both of us.” – Maia and Alex Shibutani
“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
“Whenever I get really nervous, I start laughing uncontrollably. That helps me.” – Maame Biney
“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
“I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.” – Mia Hamm
“If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.” – Mark Spitz
“You can create your own miracle, but you do it by never looking past all the little steps along the way.” – Mikaela Shiffrin
“My sports made me a more focused, sharper, more determined and stronger person than I was before. It’s a mental game — the stronger you are the better you are.” – Kiran Khan
“If you think you can’t, you won’t, and if you think you can, you will. When I’m tired at practice, I tell myself that I’m not tired, and I can push through. If you tell yourself you’re tired or if you tell yourself you’re sick, your body is going to follow the mind.” – Kellie Wells
“Failure I can live with. Not trying is what I can’t handle!” – Sanya Richards-Ross
“This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports bestows.” – Olga Korbut
“I love hearing a joke or telling a joke at the top of a run. … That’s the most important thing, that I’m enjoying what I’m doing. I love dropping in after a little laugh.” – Maddie Bowman
“Thank you to all of my family, friends, coaches, sponsors, and fans who have encouraged me every step of the way.” – Lowell Bailey
“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
“The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours.” – Peggy Fleming
“The hard days are the best because that’s where champions are made.” – Gabby Douglas
“True heroes are made of hard work and integrity.” – Hope Solo
“I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet.” – Nadia Comaneci
“It’s tough when you have people telling you who to be and how to act in order to keep your job. But I’ve seen that the people who flourish stick to their guns and are themselves. Those are the people who live the happiest lives and have the most longevity in action sports.” – Gus Kenworthy
“Don’t ever let your memories be bigger than your dreams.” – Jim Craig
“The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.” – Bobby Knight
“It’s all about the journey, not the outcome.” – Carl Lewis
“Don’t practice till you get it right, practice till you can’t get it wrong.” – McKayla Maroney
“Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” – Dan Gable
“Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” – Gail Devers
“Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work. I had to put in the time to get back. And it was a grind. It meant training and sweating every day. But I was completely committed to working out to prove to myself that I still could do it.” – Andre Agassi
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirits.” – Wilma Rudolph
“Only the strongest shoulders can carry the hopes of a nation.” – Katie Taylor
“When anyone tells me I can’t do anything, I’m just not listening anymore.” – Florence Griffith Joyner
“Skill is only developed by hours and hours of work.” – Usain Bolt
“Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes
“I didn’t lose the gold. I won the silver.” – Michelle Kwan
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” – Steve Prefontaine
“I hope that this medal inspires the kids at home to put down guns and knives and pick up a pair of trainers instead.” – Erick Barrondo
“You will always miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky