Even though I've won numerous titles and an Olympic gold medal, there are still so many faults in my performance that I can honestly hardly bear to watch the videos back.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I've been to three Olympics and I don't feel I've ever quite achieved my best at any of them.
That people believe I can be Olympic champ, it just spurs me on.
Over the years, I've made many sacrifices to win two Olympic gold medals and put together winning streaks that will never be broken.
I think even if I was to go out there and win the Olympics, everyone's still going to remember the pre-race routine that I do and the video that went viral, so, y'know, that's alright for me.
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.
I've dominated past competitions, but I've sweated blood and tears for every medal. I take nothing for granted, and I'm fully focused on doing my best.
People say, 'Wow, you've achieved it all this year: two world championship wins and an Olympic gold medal.' And I think, 'Yeah, but how come I feel so unsatisfied and under pressure all over again?'
I am not trying my best because it is the Olympics. I try my best always.
I think it was just me who thought I could be Olympic champion. I've been telling myself that, and I did that.
Maybe there's a little girl who thinks she can be an Olympic athlete, and she sees all the things I struggled through to get here. Yeah, I didn't walk away with a medal or run away with a medal, but I think there's lessons to be learned when you win and lessons to be learned when you lose.