The Runnin’ Patriots
“A Winning Tradition”
What does an Olympic marathoner, gymnast, marksman, alpine skier, figure skater, runner, tennis player, coach, swimmer, or field competitor all have in common?
Read their quotes. You could change their names all around and they could have all (and most did) say the same thing.
Pick one of these quotes, or find your own favorite, and then try to abide by it.
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“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.”
Jessie Owens –USA track and field gold medalist
“‘If you think you can’t, you won’t, and if you think you can, you will.’ When I’m tired at practice, I tell myself that I’m not tired, and I can push through. If you tell yourself you’re tired or if you tell yourself you’re sick, your body is going to follow the mind.”
–Kellie Wells, USA indoor and outdoor hurdles champion
“You’ve got to look for tough competition. You’ve got to want to beat the best.”
–Grete Waitz, Norwegian marathon runner
“This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports bestows.”
–Olga Korbut, USSR gold medalist in gymnastics
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”
–Wilma Rudolph, USA gold medalist in track and field
“I didn’t set out to beat the world; I just set out to do my absolute best.”
–Al Oerter, USA 4 time gold medalist in the discus throw. Is the only T&F athlete to win the same Olympic event four times (1956, 1960, 1964, 1968).
“Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting and, of course, the thrill of finally achieving your goals. These are all lessons in life.”
–Kristi Yamaguchi, gold medalist in figure skating
“The things you learn from sports – setting goals, being part of a team, confidence – that’s invaluable. It’s not about trophies and ribbons. It’s about being on time for practice, and accepting challenges.”
–Summer Sanders, USA gold medalist in swimming
“If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.”
–Mark Spitz, former USA Olympic swimming champion
“‘My competition isn’t resting!’”
–Kim Rhode, five-time Olympic shooter
“Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work.”
– Andre Agassi, gold medalist in tennis in 1996
“Nobody needs to prove to anybody what they’re worthy of, just the person that they look at in the mirror. That’s the only person you need to answer to. “
-Picabo Street, U.S. alpine skiing Olympian
“The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.”
-Bobby Knight, U.S.A. men’s basketball coach, 1984 gold medal team.
