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.

For athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their worth.

Getting to know athletes from all over the planet is a big part of the Olympic experience.

You give up your childhood. You miss proms and games and high-school events, and people say it's awful... I say it was a good trade. You miss something but I think I gained more than I lost.

As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we've been given.

I usually don't mind giving autographs, but when hundreds of folks with paper and pen start coming at you, it's time to seek shelter.