They developed a platform for me to put up another 12 years, and that was my ticket to Cooperstown. Those were the best years of my life. It was like magic.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I was very, very shocked about Cooperstown. I thought my chances were fairly good, but I tried to stay low key about it, not too high and not too low. That was the way I played, too.
I've decided to retire from top class racing. It has been an incredible experience and has provided with me some unforgettable moments.
When I first turned elite in gymnastics, when I was 14, that's when I really became more inspired than ever. I just always kept that in the back of my mind, and always thought about making the 2012 team.
I've been around the track a lot. I've had the best of the years, and I don't want a single year back.
My 12 years in New York were very, very special, the fans were very special, and it's something I will take with me wherever I go and into retirement.
I loved doing My Favorite Year, which was great fun, and The Ruling Class, which I made with all my chums.
The events between 1968 and 1980 were the kind of cornerstone for everything I've been able to do, they gave me the springboard.
All my life, I was even just wanted to attend the Grammys, like, just be there, so the fact that I'm nominated for Best New Artist, it feels like a dream.
To win Olympic gold has been a dream for me for seven or eight years now, so it was amazing to actually achieve that.
It's the Olympics. And it was a long way for me. To compete at the Olympic Games, I dreamed of any medal, but frankly speaking, I wanted a gold one.
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