I always look back to my first Olympic medal in 2004 in Athens. I was very new to the sport, and it was my first big win at the Olympics.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I did pretty well at the Sydney Olympics, but those were my first Games.
My first gold medal, at my first Olympics, is kind of a surprise to me. I never thought I would be in this position, but I'm so blessed and honored to be on the medal stand.
I feel like at the Olympics I gave the best performance of my life and I wasn't rewarded for that as an athlete. Yes, my fans and my mom were happy about it, but I didn't win that gold medal.
London was my first Olympics, but I tried for three beforehand. I was measured for the Olympic uniform three times before London, and I finally made the team. It was a big deal, and it was quite emotional, which is probably one of the reasons I didn't perform at my best.
I graduated a the top of my class in the '84 Olympic Games; I won a gold medal.
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.
For so long I wanted to win the gold medal. Then I won. I had to figure out what was the new motivation to take myself to that place again.
I've been to three Olympics and I don't feel I've ever quite achieved my best at any of them.
I won my first medal when I was nine years old. It was at the Boston Open.
London was my first Olympics. It was my dream to get there, and I literally had the time of my life.