Quotes from Michael Phelps

For the millionth time, I'm retired. I keep saying it, and people keep answering, 'Well, maybe he doesn't mean it this time.' But I do.

And, you know, being able to wear the stars and stripes, when you step up on one of the blocks or, you know, when you step off of an airplane or when you hear the national anthem play, you know, it's one of the greatest feelings in the world because you know that there are people at home who are supporting you and watching you.

I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and you put the work and time into it. I think your mind really controls everything.

Things can change in the blink of an eye!

I believe in God; I'm not saying I'm highly religious.

Swimming is normal for me. I'm relaxed. I'm comfortable, and I know my surroundings. It's my home.

When you use your imagination anything can happen.

It's the Olympics. If you can't get up to swim early in the morning, don't go.

My mom put me and my sisters in the water to feel comfortable, to have water safety.

I usually try to eat lot of calories. With so many events, it is important to sustain a high level of energy through the entire meet. I usually eat two hours before a meet.

I think everybody pees in the pool. It's kind of a normal thing to do for swimmers.

It's cool just because I've had this dream of changing the sport of swimming and it's finally happening.

Even in high school, I'd tell my mom I was sick of swimming and wanted to try to play golf. She wasn't too happy. She'd say, 'Think about this.' And I'd always end up getting back in the pool.

I want to continue the sport of swimming. I'm not going to give up until I think it's reached where I want it to go.

This is my 20th year in the sport. I've known swimming and that's it. I don't want to swim past age 30; if I continue after this Olympics, and come back in 2016, I'll be 31. I'm looking forward to being able to see the other side of the fence.

Why is it such a big deal what I'm swimming?

I haven't swam in any of the rivers outside of Baltimore. I try to keep it in the pool.

People say to me, 'You're so lucky. You get to see the world.' But I don't. I go to the hotel and to the pools and back again. That's it.

I learned how fast you can go from being an international hero to being a reference in a joke on a late night talk show.

Things won't go perfect. It's all about how you adapt from those things and learn from mistakes.

Growing up in high school, I wasn't hanging out with friends every day or on the weekends. Doing normal high school kid things was something I was willing to give up.

I've never lifted a single weight in my life.

There were times I wouldn't come to practice, because it didn't excite me. It wasn't interesting. I was kind of going through the motions.

There are too many kids who are drowning for lack of water safety. That's something I'd like to do. Teaching kids to live an active lifestyle.