Michelle Carter Quotes

I learned early in sports that to be effective - for a player to play the best he can play - is a matter of concentration and being unaware of distractions, positive or negative.

I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon as I see the targets, I tune them out.

Actually the adrenaline of the game will probably help me out a little bit to regain command and concentration about the things that I have to do.

I think when you compete every week, when you play under pressure daily, you find your rituals to be 100 percent focused on what you're doing.

To be the best, you need to be the most well-trained and well-prepared athlete you can be. The pressure is going to be all around you. You just have to make sure that your body and mind is fine-tuned. Then you go out there and do it.

When I set my eyes on the gold at the world championships, I was able to maintain that focus that whole day. That's what I aim to do in Rio - my focus is gold, so I can keep in that good state; I can't get too complacent. I can't relax; I can't be content. I need to be 100 per cent switched on.

When I prepare for a game the names are not really important to me.

I clear my mind; I don't think about the pressure before a fight. I focus on going in the cage and being successful while doing my job.

I love to prepare if it's something that requires training. But I don't like to prepare the psychology too much.

My concentration level blocks out everything. Concentration is why some athletes are better than others. You develop that concentration in training and concentrate in a meet.

I try and have a relaxed attitude and stay quite switched off until about an hour before kick-off.

I'm supposed to relax and concentrate on the image of myself out there skating my race.

When I'm starting a race, I just completely narrow down my vision and focus on what's directly ahead of me.

When I got to match point in the final I was afraid I'd be a little nervous, but I just said, You have to stay focused, just think about what you have to do.

I love playing under pressure. In fact, if there's no pressure, then I'm not in the perfect zone.

When I go out on the ice, I just think about my skating. I forget it is a competition.

I think of the important things: how to prepare, how to practice, how to prepare to practice.

Before a match, I need to be alone. I need to reach concentration and focus on the game ahead of me.

For me, I'm more reserved and focused once I get to the game.

I know how good I am, and I know where I can go if I'm in the right mindset and respecting my opponent.

I always try to prepare as well as possible for matches.

As a player, you just want to focus on controlling the controllables.

I've always been quiet in the dressing room before the game. I try to focus and give everything.

You grow up always thinking you'd be in pressure situations all the time, and that's why I put pressure on myself in practice, so when those situations come in the game I feel I can be successful.

Before important games, I don't change my preparation.