If I bring back only one gold people are going to say it's a disappointment. But not too many of them own an Olympic gold medal so if I get one I'm going to be happy.
Interpretation
Achieving a significant goal is often undervalued by others, yet personal satisfaction comes from the accomplishment itself.
In this quote, Michael Phelps highlights the importance of personal achievement over public perception. He suggests that while society may set high expectations, the true significance lies in the joy and pride one feels upon achieving a milestone, such as winning an Olympic gold medal, regardless of others' opinions. Phelps emphasizes that not everyone has the chance to earn such accolades, and thus, the value of the experience should not be diminished by external judgments.
In practice
This quote can be used to inspire athletes and competitors at sports events.
I want to be able to look back and say, 'I've done everything I can, and I was successful.' I don't want to look back and say I should have done this or that. I'd like to change things for the younger generation of swimmers coming along.
For so long, I looked at myself as literally a kid who was talented who would go up and down the pool. That's it. Nothing else. Very few people knew who I really was.
I don't want to be the next Mark Spitz; I want to be the first Michael Phelps
There are too many kids who are drowning for lack of water safety. That's something I'd like to do. Teaching kids to live an active lifestyle.
My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, 'I'm an Olympic gold medalist.'
I know it won't be eight medals again. If you want to compare me to that, that's your decision, not mine. I'm going out there to try to accomplish the things that I have in my mind and in my heart.
Without your involvement you can't succeed. With your involvement you can't fail.
If you hate to lose, you do whatever you need to do to make sure you're business is successful.
In most things success depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
It’s okay. Let your ego push you to be the initiator. But tell your ego that the best way to get something shipped is to let other people take the credit. The real win for you (and your ego) is seeing something get shipped, not in getting the credit when it does.
The fans had become used to looking toward the scoreboard whenever a gymnast stuck a landing. You could tell they were thinking, 'Was that good enough? Would the numbers read 10.00?' The athlete was looking, too.
Together, joined in effort by the burden, they staggered up the last steep of the mountain. Together, they chanted One! Two! Three! and crashed the log on to the great pile. Then they stepped back, laughing with triumphant pleasure.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.