In 2010, I was 17 or 18 and thought, 'Yeah, the Olympics, that might happen.'
Sentiment: POSITIVE
From 15 or 16, I always wanted to be an Olympic champion, but I don't think you ever believe it until it actually happens.
I was turning actually 15 at the Olympics in '76... I don't think that one year makes a huge difference.
I had dreamed of being at the Olympics since I was 7 years old.
I started Little Athletics when I was five years old, but my Olympics dream started when I was 10 years old.
I didn't really ever dream of going to the Olympics until after 2012.
But inside of me I knew that the Olympics were still there. I was still young enough. I knew that once I transitioned out of hockey, it would be really hard to go back.
The Olympic dream was born in 2010 during the qualifications to Vancouver. And when I was watching those Olympics from the sidelines, I felt that I wanted to have my Games. I understood that it wouldn't be easy to make them, especially now that in Russia there are a lot of strong girls.
I really wanted to come into the Olympics.
As a kid growing up, I was never like, 'I want to go to the Olympics,' so having to pass on 2012 because I was too young didn't bother me at all.
In Montreal, I kept thinking, 'Pay attention: this is the Olympics! It only happens once every four years!'