Quotes from Denise Lewis

To get to the top in anything, you have to keep asking yourself questions. How much do I really want this? What am I prepared to give up to get it?

People would measure you by your shape, you used to find a lot of male athletes peeling off their tops - just to say, 'Have some of this.' I guess my abs were a sign to people. 'Watch out, she's in shape.'

The initial feelings when you step into the Olympic arena representing your country, your community, representing yourself can be really overwhelming.

I was 11 when I first saw the Alexander Stadium. I walked through the door and thought, 'Wow, this is it. This is where I want to be.'

I have moved on now from athletics, but it was difficult initially after I retired.

I was injured in the early part of 2000 and spent 10 weeks barely able to walk.

If you reach the heights then it's great but if you can inspire young people at school, university or as a coach, then it is a fantastic life.

Sport's been an instrumental thing in my life.

My personal trainer, she's been reading the textbooks, she doesn't want me to do too much, she says: 'Don't overheat, don't over-stretch, blah blah blah.'

I have moments of happiness every single day.

I keep asking myself if my joints are going to hold up.

In heptathlon, if one day goes extremely well, you've got to go to bed and start the next one completely fresh - lose what you did yesterday.

My mum gave me lots of advice growing up, but the general theme to everything was 'Be yourself, be consistent.' Whether it was in sport or life generally, it was about treating everyone the same, staying consistent.

You have the burning desire as a successful sportsperson and that needs to go somewhere when you finish. It is a problem so many people have when their careers end and I was no different.

I will always encourage any young person, especially young black females. If you want to be involved in sport please do it.

Whenever we go out, we'll need to bring a car seat and tons of baby paraphernalia. In fact we're going to need a bigger car. As a family of six, we'll probably need a truck!

I have this one room - it has a TV, a sofa, some candles. I close the door, sit down and lose myself.

Athletes make nothing like the money that footballers or even cricketers earn. If you are a female athlete you are at the bottom of the ladder.

I'll never forget how frustrated I felt when I didn't make the team for Barcelona in 1992.

My children are good eaters and are always happy to try new things.

The Commonwealth Games is an event for everyone. I believe it continues because of the unity and appreciation in respect of diversity, different nationalities coming together to compete under one Commonwealth banner.

During my pregnancy I ate healthily, stayed fit and carried well.

The magazines drive me insane, because it's such an unrealistic ideology, that you're going to have a baby, or even just be out of shape for a little while, and then ping back into shape.

I love seeing the up-and-coming athletes finding success.