I don't know how many people really knew who I was before the Olympics and that's the fun thing of the Olympics - you get to know someone who captures your heart, hopefully.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Getting to know athletes from all over the planet is a big part of the Olympic experience.
I still can't believe I'm an Olympic athlete.
People could see in me who I am now, an Olympic champ, the best in the world.
I think I've gotten more attention after the Olympics than any other U.S. athlete, and it's really great that people are recognizing who I am and what I do. You look at Shaq and you see a basketball player. You look at Tiger Woods and you see a golfer. But people are responding to who I am.
The Olympics is about showing what you've done with your life, your dream as an athlete and sharing that with the world.
I really wanted to come into the Olympics.
That people believe I can be Olympic champ, it just spurs me on.
I knew very little or nothing about the Olympics. Having qualified was itself a big achievement for me, and then being there was quite overwhelming. Although I lost in the opening round, but the fact that I fought well was enough for me to take away from Athens.
You never really think about what happens after the Olympics - you're just like, 'I want to compete. I want to do well' and thinking about that. After it all happened, it was such a whirlwind. I've gotten to do so many amazing things. My favorite thing was getting into acting.
I always said I wanted an Olympic medal. It's the pinnacle of any athlete's career.
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