Nathan Chen Quotes

I want to carry in my heart forever the key word of the Olympics - 'passion.'

As a scientist, I play in the top league - the Olympics, the World Championships - and I want to be in the lead. As a runner, I set personal goals, and I want to push beyond my own personal limits. I was very happy when I practiced for several months and then reached my goal to run a marathon in 2:50.

It is the inspiration of the Olympic Games that drives people not only to compete but to improve, and to bring lasting spiritual and moral benefits to the athlete and inspiration to those lucky enough to witness the athletic dedication.

I missed being considered an athlete and having that competitive drive, and missed having something to work for every day. I'd taken two and a half years away from the sport and was out of shape. I wanted to get back to where I was in 2008.

I was obsessed with the Olympics. It's so exciting to see that level of excellence and endurance.

When I was in high school I was a super serious athlete. I wasn't fun at all.

There's no day when I don't think it would be great to be 25 years old and have the Olympics coming in less than 300 days - and be the best in the world. I can't think of anything so motivating.

Historically, China is not a nation of sportsmen. We traditionally put more emphasis on being close to nature than pushing endlessly to excel. A philosophy that values tranquil contemplation of the landscape cannot easily be adapted to the Olympic slogan of 'higher, stronger, faster.'

I still have so much passion to perform... That's who Johnny Weir is: I'm a figure skater, I'm an athlete. I want to have fun and enjoy it.

My motivation to compete was always about improving one year to the next. At 34, I realised I'd never run any quicker, so why hang on? But I love running and still run along woodland trails and beaches every few days.

I stopped amateur skating competitively when I was 15.

We're focusing on producing top, great athletes for the Olympics.

Sometimes I want to be a normal kid and go to the beach, but it's so motivating to think about going to the Olympics again. I'll only be 22 years old after Rio, and I can do whatever I want.

I live to be in these matches.

The Olympics really started motivating me from the very start. That was my dream from the very beginning.

Anyone that is in the UFC, if you don't have a dream for the title, you're in the wrong sport. You can leave.

I have always dreamt of going to an Olympics and watching these incredible athletes and being motivated and inspired to want to be successful in my own sport.

I don't play basketball for the money; it was the last thing I thought of when I was a little kid.

I started playing from the age of 11-12. I loved the game immediately but started playing the game seriously only in 1993-94.

He's been an inspiration for me since the Olympics 1996.

Not too hard for me to stay motivated when I'm in sport where everyone's trying to knock me out.

You look at Ray Lewis, you look at Brett Favre. I know it's different positions, but you think about the mental mindset it takes to continue to grind and play at a high level. Those are the guys that I look at that motivate me.

I played cricket for the Delhi under-15 and 19 team. I was inspired by Imran Khan.

I'm a naturally very competitive person and I've been competing in triathlons throughout 2012 to keep fit and keep my mind sharp.

I was really good at a young age, but every day I had to walk in the house, and walk past my dad's jersey framed on the wall because he was an Olympian, so I was like, all right, I haven't done anything yet.