Quotes from Hope Solo

I never wanted to go to college in the state of Washington because I was so embarrassed and ashamed of my family life. I wanted to run. That's what always what I do, I run. I run as far away as I can.

It's a complicated thing, knowing how much pain my father caused in my life and the lives of others whom I love, yet still holding love for him in my heart. No matter what he did, he was my father. He helped create the person I am.

One thing I've learned in life is that I can speak for myself, that I can fight my own battles. I don't like anyone telling me how I'm supposed to feel or think or what I'm supposed to say.

I've been through a lot of things in my personal and family life. That turned me into a fighter. I always strive to be the best I possibly can.

I think every athlete has their window of opportunity, and you just have to jump on it. You never know when it can end. So I'm just trying to live large while I have the opportunity.

London 2012 is all about winning a medal. Not just any medal, the gold medal.

L.A. is a bit strange. It doesn't seem like the real world.

All my life, since the time I was little, has been a long distraction. At least that is the way some people want to perceive it, but for me, it's given me a lot of strength.

I just want to stay in my hotel room, read my book. I enjoy that private time.

Growing up, I felt insecure about my build. I didn't feel very feminine. But as time went on, I learned to completely embrace my body.

It's all in fun. I take everything with a grain of salt.

I take everything with a grain of salt.

It took putting one foot in front of the other every single day to get through it to the point where I made it back on the team and won a gold medal in 2008.

My life goes in four-year cycles. The World Cup is every four years and the Olympics are every four years.

I have given my life to the game and to the sport.

I try to live my life one day at a time, and if I look too far in advance, I get really stressed.

I wear my dad's cross. It's very important to me. I hang it in my locker before each game.

My No. 1 goal, and what I've spent my entire life striving to achieve is to win a World Cup. I want to retire so badly with that World Cup, but if I don't, then I'll retire knowing that I've done everything I could to get it.

When I was younger, I was a complete tomboy. Then in college I started emerging out of the tomboy stage and dressing differently.

Female athletes are supposed to be toned down. You're always supposed to talk about the team and never stand out.

Unfortunately, people think I'm negative and bitter all the time, and that's not the case.

I love pedicures. And, yes, I have a ton of shoes.

I carry my iPod everywhere. My favorite group is the John Butler Trio, an Australian jam band. The lead singer and guitarist writes amazing lyrics.

I need a life outside of soccer. So I very much welcome, you know, new love interests and dating and friends and family.