A collection of quotations from Olympic champions, witnesses and spectators through the ages. Inspiring, emotional, often hilarious - a fascinating insight into the Games and the people who watch and compete in them. The explanations following the quotes give a potted history of the Games and the characters involved.

Description

A collection of quotations from Olympic champions, witnesses and spectators through the ages. Inspiring, emotional, often hilarious - a fascinating insight into the Games and the people who watch and compete in them. The explanations following the quotes give a potted history of the Games and the characters involved.
'Let's have the medals off their necks.' The assertive reaction of gold medallist JENNY LANG PING (People's Repub of China) on seeing on a monster TV screen opposite the volleyball athletes entrance at the 1984 Los Angeles Games a freeze frame picture of some of the US women's team prematurely sporting gold medals. Lang's team won the gold, beating the Americans in straight sets.
'Don't overtax yourself, darling.' The 1952 Czech women's javelin gold medallist, DANA ZATOPKOVA, to her famous Czech husband, Emil Zatopek, winner of the 5,000 and 10,000 metres gold in 1952, when he decided also to enter the marathon. At a press conference after her gold medal win, he claimed his victory in the 5,000 had inspired her. "Oh really," she retorted, "Then go and inspire some other girl and see if she can throw a javelin 50 metres."
'These are the Olympics; you die before you quit.' The great American discus thrower, AL OERTER, winner of four successive gold medals (1956-68). For the third of these in Tokyo, he competed despite excruciating pain from a torn rib cartilage, strapped up and iced.