Jackie Joyner-Kersee Quotes

It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.

There are few restrictions on your life with asthma, as long as you take care of yourself.

What people need to know is that asthma isn't a minor 'wheeze-disease.' It kills over five thousand people in America every year, and I could've been one of them.

Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind.

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 18 during my freshman year at UCLA. I refused to accept it - and I hid it from my coaches and teammates. But ignoring my problem didn't make it go away.

Don't follow in any footprints, make your own prints. Because, you are the future of tomorrow.

I've had asthma my entire life.

Girls playing sports is not about winning gold medals. It's about self-esteem, learning to compete and learning how hard you have to work in order to achieve your goals.

If I stop to kick every barking dog I am not going to get where I'm going.

I maintained my edge by always being a student; you will always have something new to learn.

The only person who can stop you from reaching your goals is you.

My passion for giving is no different than yours. I give because it's in my heart to give. I give because I was taught to give at a very early age. This is how I developed my passion for giving.

The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing.

Give back in some way. Always be thoughtful of others.

I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.

I always keep myself in a position of being a student.

Teaching kids about health and fitness is important to me. It's about being fit for life.

There is something about seeing myself improve that motivates and excites me.

People assuming that because I'm a great athlete, I can dance. But no. My rhythm is off a little bit.

Once I leave this earth, I know I've done something that will continue to help others.

Ask any athlete: We all hurt at times. I'm asking my body to go through seven different tasks. To ask it not to ache would be too much.

I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well.

I'm always challenged by someone.

Even at 10 or 12, I was a hot, fast little cheerleader.

I don't have to be enemies with someone to be competitors with them.

I might attempt Zumba. I haven't yet, but I thought it would be a lot of fun and different.

I love track and field, but I also know the day will come when I will have to do something else.

The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening.

I do not take steroids. I never have. It's sad to me that people want to point fingers. I don't do that. That's not me. I wouldn't feel like a human being.

When I started competing, you had to have your coach there. Now you can be coached from a home office via Skype or video. That's not the same as having them on the field with you.

I'm not shy. I'm modest, but I'm very outgoing.

Even if the person doesn't know what the internet can do, we can bring it to them and show how it can make a difference in their lives.

I would like 'I Dream of Genie' powers.

I set my sights on making an Olympic team, not realizing how tough it was going to be.

I really do miss playing basketball. I don't play a lot of pick-up games. But I do like using basketball as a form of cross training.

I'm a realist and I always have been.

The 2012 London Olympic Games fostered a generation of hope. I witnessed women participating for the very first time, representing every nation.

The medals don't mean anything and the glory doesn't last. It's all about your happiness. The rewards are going to come but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing.