I made a $50 bet -- a lot of money then -- with my coach that I'd win a medal. read more

I made a $50 bet -- a lot of money then -- with my coach that I'd win a medal. I woke up that morning and thought, 'don't get to the bottom and wish you had a second chance, because in the Olympics, you don't get a second chance.' I was so in the moment; I wanted to feel it, I wanted to be in it -- I've used that metaphor for the rest of my life.

Know how sublime a thing is to suffer and be strong.

Know how sublime a thing is to suffer and be strong.

Chicago is partly a fairy tale because it's inside one person's head, so that part of it's made up and read more

Chicago is partly a fairy tale because it's inside one person's head, so that part of it's made up and the rest of it is reality.

Given Japan's shaky political and financial situation, the market will continue to produce such knee-jerk reactions to stock movements in read more

Given Japan's shaky political and financial situation, the market will continue to produce such knee-jerk reactions to stock movements in the U.S..

I wanted them to come away with the feeling that they could make a positive difference in the world.

I wanted them to come away with the feeling that they could make a positive difference in the world.

Usually when you see teams do what we've done in two years, it's the same group. These are different kids.

Usually when you see teams do what we've done in two years, it's the same group. These are different kids.

Indulge not thyself in the passion of anger; it is whetting a sword to wound thine own breast, or murder read more

Indulge not thyself in the passion of anger; it is whetting a sword to wound thine own breast, or murder thy friend.

I'm putting myself and my team in a position where we have a chance. Last year at this time, something read more

I'm putting myself and my team in a position where we have a chance. Last year at this time, something else might have happened. I might not have put the ball in play. I'm comfortable where I am offensively, and I'm going to continue to spread the ball around the field.

Everyone is aware of the bias [that some organizations are more visible than others], which is what our committee discussed read more

Everyone is aware of the bias [that some organizations are more visible than others], which is what our committee discussed prior to applications. It's easy for applicants to forget that we know what they are thinking.