With Rio 2016 here in all its samba dancing, carnival floating, fiesta celebrating sporting glory, Teams on Tour have decided to look back to find some of the most inspiring Olympic quotes of all time to take you away from your sofa for five minutes (we’re sure you can cope with missing the synchronised swimming) and start your road to Olympic gold… Or at least your local kebab shop.
1. “This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports bestows” – Olga Korbut
2. “If you dream and you allow yourself to dream you can do anything.” – Clara Hughes
3. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life” – Muhammad Ali
4. “I don’t think you’re human if you don’t get nervous” – Sidney Crosby
5. “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” – Jesse Owens
6. “We have the can-do factor, and us doing what we do I think inspires people to just try that little bit harder, whether they are able-bodied or disabled” – Lee Pearson
7. “I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match” – Mia Hamm
8. “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 talent we’ve been given” – Mary Lou Retton
9. “The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important” – Bobby Knight
10. “If you don’t have confidence, you’ll always find a way not to win” – Carl Lewis
11. “You’ve got to look for tough competition. You’ve got to want to beat the best – Grete Waitz
12. “We underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit” – Wilma Rudolph
13. “If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail” – Mark Spitz
14. “Never put an age limit on your dreams” – Dara Torres
15. “Nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it couldn’t be done, all it takes is an imagination” – Michael Phelps
16. “We have a heart of gold, and that’s what this medal is right here. It’s a team that will never give up” – Joey Hagerty
17. “If you think you can’t, you won’t, and if you think you can, you will” – Kellie Wells
18. “Surpassing my achievements feels incredible; I want to replicate that again and again” – Katherine Reutter
19. “Failure I can live with. Not trying is what I can’t handle” – Sanya Richards-Ross
20. “There’s always a point where you get knocked down. But I draw on what I’ve learned on the track: If you work hard, things will work out” – Lolo Jones
21. “You have to believe in yourself when no-one else does – that makes you a winner right there” – Venus Williams
22. “Passion is a huge pre-requisite to winning” – Kerri Walsh
23. “You have to train your mind like you train your body” – Bruce Jenner
24. “I didn’t set out to beat the world; I just set out to do my absolute best” – Al Oerter
25. “Have fun, because that’s what life is all about” – Ryan Lochte
26. “The goal is to keep having fun. Not let that pressure get to me and still be Missy” – Missy Franklin
27. “I think the way to become the best is to just have fun” – Shaun White
28. “Let me tell you how it works in the velodrome. You turn up, you watch a race, we win a gold medal” – Jake Humphrey
29. “My competition isn’t resting” – Kim Rhode
30. “Part of being a champ is acting like a champ” – Nancy Kerrigan
31. “Failing in life is inevitable – staying down is optional” – Carrie Johnson
32. “Inspire a generation’ is our motto. Not necessarily ‘create-a-generation’… Which is what they sometimes get up to in the Olympic village” – Boris Johnson
