Ashton Eaton

When I was growing up, I used to watch 'Power Rangers' and 'Ninja Turtles.' It seemed like every movie had someone doing martial arts in it, so I would go around punching and kicking trees. ”

I remember growing up, having sports to go to, having recess, those were the things I looked forward to. Yes, I'm an athlete, but I had buddies who weren't, and they looked forward to it, too. ”

When I was a junior and an up-and-coming athlete, I don't think I looked to anyone for inspiration. I was so busy trying to improve myself and learning these new events and learning about the decathlon in general that I didn't really have time to focus on anyone else. ”

In high school, I had a gold 1992 Ford Explorer. It was a gift. I used to have a terrible habit of locking the keys in the car when I used leave the car running to help it start on a cold morning. I think the local locksmith became used to me calling him. ”

I don't set goals. Competing with a number in your head can be limiting, and I don't know what my capabilities are yet. ”

That's what we want people to do. Select a goal or gold and go after it. ”

That's what has always been good about track. The goal is very clearly defined: Try to win. Get the gold medal. And I'm able to put my energy toward that. ”

My goal in Korea is to win. There's no timetable when to set the American record. ”

I compete against myself in competitions anyway, so I train against myself in practice. ”

I think when the competitions come, I am always ready to go. I don't think I ever have not been. ”