Gail Devers

We go old-school during the summer, like swimming or setting up lemonade stands. I try to teach my kids to make their own fun. ”

I was blessed with a long career where I won gold medals for myself and my country. Nothing stands out as a disappointment. ”

When I write a goal down - and I truly write them down - it becomes a part of me. That's a contract that I sign with myself to say, 'I don't care what happens - I'm going to stay on this path. I'm going to try and see this through; I'm going to give it my best shot, my best effort.' ”

Looking back, I'm so proud to have gone to five Olympics - I believe only three other Americans have achieved that. ”

It's a challenge between me and the hurdle, and the hurdle has always won. ”

People see me now and ask if I'm still running. I may look like I am, but I'm really not. People think I still run every day but I ran for 25 years and I deserve to not do anything but walk or ride the bike with my kids. ”

It's totally different now, traveling to different meets and different cities and actually being able to enjoy the cities I'm in. ”

I have to be cautious, have my thyroid levels checked, and as long as I do that, I'm fine. ”

While receiving radiation treatment for a thyroid illness, I had refused to take beta-blockers - a medication that would have eased its side effects - because they were deemed illegal by the sport's governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations. ”

I don't have a thyroid anymore. I had radioactive iodine treatment, which destroyed my thyroid. I take medication every day. ”