Quotes from Jackie Joyner-Kersee

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

There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.

I always have been trying to work on the other side of Jackie, and that is, making sure that my appearance, that my image, is right; also, working in the job world, knowing how it is to wake up and go to a job.

My denial and irresponsible attitude about asthma put me at great risk and caused me so much needless suffering. My hope is that the kids I talk to learn to open up about their asthma, become educated about their condition, and seek help.

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

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

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.

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

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.

It wasn't until I was 14 and watched the 1976 Olympic games on television that I really started to dream about the big time. I remember seeing Evelyn Ashford in the 100 meters, and she was going to UCLA.

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

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

I would like 'I Dream of Genie' powers.

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've had asthma my entire life.

All I ever wanted really, and continue to want out of life, is to give 100 percent to whatever I'm doing and to be committed to whatever I'm doing and then let the results speak for themselves. Also to never take myself or people for granted and always be thankful and grateful to the people who helped me.

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

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

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

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

Winning is great, but being able to finish my last Olympic Games on American soil was very important. Even though I was injured, I didn't let my psyche get the best of me and cause me to doubt myself, so I was willing to pull every muscle in my body in '96 in order to get the job done and I came away with the bronze medal.

It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret.

Even though I'm not a competitive athlete, I have to still maintain things and try to keep myself fit because I am at that age where I need to make sure to get those regular checkups and make sure everything is in tact.

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