It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.
I was just, you know, kind of getting racist jokes, kind of being isolated from the group. So it was definitely hard. I would come home at night and just cry my eyes out.
Words can’t even describe how much Olympic medals means to me, because of all the hard work, sacrifice and effort I put in at the gym, and also because of how much my family supported me and sacrificed their dreams for mine. It also means a lot to me, knowing that I became the first African American to win the individual all-around gold medal.
I wanted to finish on a stronger note. Fighting through that routine, you know what I was like, ‘I’m just fighting through.’
I would love to be a role model.
I was supporting Aly [Raisman]. I will always will support them and respect them. I don’t want anyone to take it as jealous or I wanted attention.
Don’t be shy. Go for it and ask your crush out.
Nothing is going to change. I’m going to wear my hair like this during beam and bar finals. You might as well stop talking about it.
Hard days are the best because that’s when champions are made.
Always be courageous and strong, & don’t fear. You’ve got to be confident when you’re competing. You’ve got to be a beast.
My mom used to tell me when I was little, ‘When it rains, it’s God’s manifestation – a big day’s waiting to happen.’
Gold medals are made out of sweat, blood and tears and effort in the gym every day.
