You show up at the Olympics, and you're no longer you; you're an American Olympian. You're part of this greater whole, and the individual doesn't matter.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I still can't believe I'm an Olympic athlete.
The Olympics is about showing what you've done with your life, your dream as an athlete and sharing that with the world.
I think to actually be an Olympian to me means that you've trained most of your life, or you've dedicated most of your life or a big chunk of your life into doing something that you believe that you can accomplish.
The experience of being an Olympian is one that can never be taken away from you.
Olympians are the product of the Movement, and to get them to the stadiums, pools and playing fields, it takes the actions of legions of people who might not be Olympians.
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.
You're either an Olympian or not in swimming.
For athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their worth.
I always said I wanted an Olympic medal. It's the pinnacle of any athlete's career.
Becoming an Olympian is the ultimate reward for any athlete.
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