Michael Phelps

“If I didn't swim my best, I'd think about it at school, at dinner, with my friends. It would drive me crazy.”

“I feel most at home in the water. I disappear. That's where I belong.”

“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.”

“I'm a Dunkin' Donuts kind of guy. I also like Cadbury's.”

“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.”

“I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time.”

“I still remember the days, not wanting to see anybody, not wanting to talk to anybody, really not wanting to live. I was on an express elevator to the bottom floor, wherever that might be.”

“There were times I wouldn't come to practice, because it didn't excite me. It wasn't interesting. I was kind of going through the motions.”

“I've been able to get an excitement back in the water.”

“You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”

“This is my 20th year in the sport. I've known swimming and that's it. I don't want to swim past age 30; if I continue after this Olympics, and come back in 2016, I'll be 31. I'm looking forw...”

“Swimming is normal for me. I'm relaxed. I'm comfortable, and I know my surroundings. It's my home.”

“My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, 'I'm an Olympic gold medalist.'”

“I want to retire how I want to retire - and I have a great opportunity to do that.”

“I think to be - for me to be an American is - you know, it's one of the greatest things in the world for - you know, for me just because I've been able to grow up with everything. The freedo...”

“I think sometimes I guess you see records, say you want to get there and use that as motivation. In a way, it's kind of cool if there is a possibility to rewrite history and be up there with...”

“Growing up in high school, I wasn't hanging out with friends every day or on the weekends. Doing normal high school kid things was something I was willing to give up.”

“I won't predict anything historic. But nothing is impossible.”

“I used to always go to church on holidays, but I don't go much any more.”

“I've never lifted a single weight in my life.”