How we cite our quotes: (Book)
Quote #7
How could the younger Brooks not feel stung when, on the cusp of an Olympic dream, he was tapped on the shoulder and told to go home? Days before the 1960 Olympics began, coach Jack Riley replaced Brooks on the roster. After months of recruitment, Riley had finally convinced 1956 standout Bill Cleary to rejoin the team. Bill Cleary's one condition was that his brother be able to play with him. Bob Cleary's head was pasted over Herb Brooks's body in the team picture. (The Boys of Winter)
Most people would've given up, or at least held a massive grudge against the Olympics after that. (We certainly would.) But not Herb Brooks. He used it as a motivational tool to qualify for the next two subsequent Olympics. Guess that's what separates Olympians from the rest of us mere mortals: persistence, and the drive to prove to themselves they can be the best.
Quote #8
It's like that at the Olympic Games. Years of training, of hard work, of desire and discipline – all of it compressed into minutes, sometimes just seconds, and time seems to stand still as history plays itself out. There's nothing sweeter than winning. (No Limits)
Surprisingly, out of all the athletes in our anthology, it's Phelps that truly captures what the Olympics are all about. It takes years of training, sacrifices, injuries, and tears to get to compete in the Games, and then when you finally do, it might be for a matter of seconds. That doesn't seem like much of a payoff, does it? And yet, every four years, new generations of athletes continue to dedicate themselves and fight through incredible ordeals in order to go for gold.
Quote #9
I listened for the sound of soldiers chasing after us, but all I could hear was my heart banging in my chest and my heavy breathing. My legs started to give out. Even with a friend helping me on each side, I could not keep going. One boy paused for a moment. Reaching around me, he swept me on his back and off we went. Big trees came up over us. I knew a lion or a leopard might be hiding in one, waiting for an antelope to come by. My friends didn't even look up. They kept on running, carrying me with them. (Running For My Life)
Lopez Lomong and his friends define "perseverance." Despite all the terrible things he experienced, Lomong never gave up. He survived, but not only that, he thrived, and went from war-torn Sudan to carrying the American flag in the Olympic opening ceremonies. Dang.