There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

The London games mark the 24th anniversary of my winning two golds and setting the world record in the heptathlon. Someone is going to want it; records are made to be broken - it's only a matter of time. I hope mine will outlive me.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I have this burning desire to get out there and do my best. It's as if I'm keeping it all in a little bottle, and it's all going to come out when I do the best I'm capable of doing.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I might attempt Zumba. I haven't yet, but I thought it would be a lot of fun and different.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

When I started competing, you had to have your coach there. Now you can be coached from a home office via Skype or video. That's not the same as having them on the field with you.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

People assuming that because I'm a great athlete, I can dance. But no. My rhythm is off a little bit.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I would like 'I Dream of Genie' powers.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I've had asthma my entire life.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Winning is great, but being able to finish my last Olympic Games on American soil was very important. Even though I was injured, I didn't let my psyche get the best of me and cause me to doubt myself, so I was willing to pull every muscle in my body in '96 in order to get the job done and I came away with the bronze medal.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

There are a lot of other people that really play a significant role in helping you become an Olympian.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

As you grow older and young people come up to you with their history books, you realize that some of the things I have been able to do have been impactful. But for me, I try to keep everything in perspective and stay humble.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Some people are embarrassed to say they came from East St. Louis, Ill., but now more people want to claim it. I grew up in a community center and I knew what it gave me. I always knew I wanted to give back and help people because people helped me.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I'm a realist and I always have been. Quality training is what I do now; before it was a combination of both quality and quantity. Now I'm not trying to be a world-class athlete, I don't need to train at that level. It's about being fit, fit for life.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I'm more of a hands-on person. I like working with young people from the standpoint of providing support for the grassroots programs. State, national and Olympic champions begin at a grassroots level.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well. The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Growing up in the time of Title IX - it was passed when I was 10 - I got a front-row seat to so many great moments in women's sports. Of course I didn't know it at the time.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

When I was in elementary school, we weren't allowed to do sports other than cheerleading. By junior high, they let us play, but we had to come back after 6:30 p.m. to practice because there was only one gymnasium and the boys used it first.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Jackie Joyner-Kersee Quotes

There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.

The London games mark the 24th anniversary of my winning two golds and setting the world record in the heptathlon. Someone is going to want it; records are made to be broken - it's only a matter of time. I hope mine will outlive me.

I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.

I have this burning desire to get out there and do my best. It's as if I'm keeping it all in a little bottle, and it's all going to come out when I do the best I'm capable of doing.

I might attempt Zumba. I haven't yet, but I thought it would be a lot of fun and different.

I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well.

The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening.

When I started competing, you had to have your coach there. Now you can be coached from a home office via Skype or video. That's not the same as having them on the field with you.

People assuming that because I'm a great athlete, I can dance. But no. My rhythm is off a little bit.

I would like 'I Dream of Genie' powers.

I've had asthma my entire life.

There are a lot of other people that really play a significant role in helping you become an Olympian.

As you grow older and young people come up to you with their history books, you realize that some of the things I have been able to do have been impactful. But for me, I try to keep everything in perspective and stay humble.

Some people are embarrassed to say they came from East St. Louis, Ill., but now more people want to claim it. I grew up in a community center and I knew what it gave me. I always knew I wanted to give back and help people because people helped me.

I'm a realist and I always have been. Quality training is what I do now; before it was a combination of both quality and quantity. Now I'm not trying to be a world-class athlete, I don't need to train at that level. It's about being fit, fit for life.

I'm more of a hands-on person. I like working with young people from the standpoint of providing support for the grassroots programs. State, national and Olympic champions begin at a grassroots level.

I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well. The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening.

Growing up in the time of Title IX - it was passed when I was 10 - I got a front-row seat to so many great moments in women's sports. Of course I didn't know it at the time.

When I was in elementary school, we weren't allowed to do sports other than cheerleading. By junior high, they let us play, but we had to come back after 6:30 p.m. to practice because there was only one gymnasium and the boys used it first.