For six years, I kept my five Olympic medals wrapped in a plastic bread bag beneath my bed.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Heck, gold medals, what can you do with them?
That's what everybody remembers. They don't remember how many medals I won in my career. They remember the 10s.
The feeling of accomplishment welled up inside of me, three Olympic gold medals. I knew that was something nobody could ever take away from me, ever.
When I decided to go for four gold medals I planned it out over a few years. It was in four different events and there was a lot to it.
For years, I stored my sweaters in the oven.
Adding an Olympic medal to everything that I have already accomplished would be so huge for me.
I archive a lot of my clothes and have them wrapped up and in boxes. I call them 'little tombs' and keep them in a storage space... I would never get rid of the dress I wore on the night I won my Oscar. When I die, someone can have it, but not a minute before!
I haven't let the gold medal out of my sight; it sleeps next to me in bed.
I had my Olympic gold medal cut up into eleven pieces. Gave all eleven of my kids a piece. It'll come together again when they put me down.
Over the years, I've made many sacrifices to win two Olympic gold medals and put together winning streaks that will never be broken.