Carl Lewis

You have to free your mind to do things you wouldn't think of doing. Don't ever say no.

The best kids are going to become the best. But the best thing about it is that you're going to learn lessons in playing those sports about winning and losing and teamwork and teammates and arguments and everything else that are going to affect you positively for the rest of your life.

The trials on the road to world harmony are no greater than the courage of those who accept the challenge.

I'm a fast learner. I may not run as fast as I used to, but I think I still learn as fast.

I tell you, it was kind of two-fold. I fortunately had a lot of support. My coach was amazing - he told me to focus on being prepared and that is what I did. Every athlete is nervous - any athlete who tells you they're not nervous isn't telling you the truth. I was as prepared as I could be.

I know there are a lot of people out there who have the best intentions but not the voice, so it's about people like me to give them a voice and hear their ideas.

When I run - you can see my record - I run to win.

Track and field is the best way to reach out for kids. It doesn't matter how fast you are. You always want to beat someone.

Any press is good press. So keep on ragging me.

You're not going to get a chance to vote for me on the ballot, but you can actually vote for what I believe in.

I like the pressure of having to perform so people will come to me.

Life is about timing.

We cannot rest until we make sure that our families can afford to live and raise their kids here, that our seniors can remain in their homes and afford their health and pharmaceutical costs.

Scientists have proven that it's impossible to long-jump 30 feet, but I don't listen to that kind of talk. Thoughts like that have a way of sinking into your feet.

I'm not supposed to be able to speak clearly, and decipher what's going on in the media. I'm supposed to be the typical amateur who's 22 and scared to death and can't believe he won the Olympics.

Amateurism is the strongest form of discrimination in sports. Because it discriminates against the underprivileged, it discriminates against the poor. If we want sports to go back to the wealthy, let's make it amateur again.

I always wanted to be wealthy. I did.

I enjoy my life, I love track, I'm set for life financially.

I've always known that sporting people frequently suffer from joint problems because of the repeated strain they put on their bodies to get to the top. But somehow I never thought it would happen to me.

Whether I'm 40, 50 or 60, I'm going to be as physically strong as I am able.

I'm not Carl Lewis the athlete any more. I'm growing into a new person with new interests and new goals.

I'm very serious about becoming a dramatic actor. I don't want to play cameo parts walking on as Carl Lewis the athlete. I want to go on stage or screen and be taken seriously.