Description: This article features 27 motivational quotes from some of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. These quotes range from encouraging words of perseverance and determination to thoughts on teamwork, mental toughness, and living life to the fullest. Whether you're a competitor, a fan, or simply someone who appreciates the dedication it takes to excel in the world of track and field, these quotes will provide inspiration to help you channel your own goals and passions.
Track and field is a sport that demands the utmost self-belief and inner confidence in yourself. As a competitor, you understand the weight of responsibility and pressure that comes with competing at the highest level. From the start of time, countless individuals have competed in track and field events, experiencing the same nerves and emotions that people feel today. Below, we've compiled some of the best quotes from the best to ever do it to help inspire you to reach your full potential and tackle any challenges that come your way.
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Usain Bolt: "Worrying gets you nowhere. If you turn up worrying about how you’re going to perform, you’ve already lost. Train hard, turn up, run your best and the rest will take care of itself."
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Jesse Owens: "We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort."
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Sanya Richards-Ross: "Life can lure us into this fantasy. A fantasy of fear. We look around and begin to fear we aren’t good enough for the right here and right now, so we create illusions in our minds of what we still need to be — when all we need to be is present in this moment, at this time."
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Allyson Felix: "I am a big believer in visualization. I run through my races mentally so that I feel even more prepared."
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Carl Lewis: "The trials on the road to world harmony are no greater than the courage of those who accept the challenge."
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Michael Johnson: "Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter: long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best."
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Juma Ikangaa: "The reason we race isn’t so much to beat each other… but to be with each other.”
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Deena Kastor: "I train every day. I train in the cold. I train in the heat. Because I know that any minute I step on the start line, I have to be ready to run. The only secret to staying successful is consistency and not quitting."
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Sylvester Joseph: "I have never been the fastest, but I have always been the hardest working."
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Gretchen Bleiler: "You have to love the process as much as the outcome. The road to becoming an Olympic champion is never straightforward, but it's rewarding and enriching to persevere through the struggles."
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Mary Decker: "It was not perfect but I am very happy. It could have been better, but I am now looking forward to my second race of the season."
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Steve Prefontaine: "A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts."
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Kipchoge Keino: "It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."
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Wilson Kipketer: "I am the same age as the track. I feel young because I am always running."
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Hicham El Guerrouj: "Chasing dreams is a beautiful thing. It invigorates the soul."
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Bob Hayes: "I never thought about winning, I just wanted to run."
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Marion Jones: "People could see in me who I am now, an Olympic champ, the best in the world."
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Tommie Smith: "If there's one thing I've learned throughout my career, it's that winning isn't everything—it's the will to win that counts."
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Xavier de planche: "There's no hiding from the fact that I'm incredibly fast. The numbers don't lie."
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Emma Cobum: "The journey to becoming an Olympic champion has been filled with ups and downs, victories and setbacks, sweat and tears.”
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Lance armstrong: "I view track racing as a way to test myself, push my boundaries, and see how far I can take my limits."
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Adam Nelson: “Once you commit to getting better, you're halfway there.”
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Kelly Holmes: “It takes a special kind of person to push themselves to the limits and achieve greatness.”
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Natalie Coughlin: “I’ve learned that getting the job done isn’t always about having the best technique, it's about having the determination and heart to keep pushing through.”
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Gwen Knight: “I've always been the underdog. I've had to work harder, stay longer, and believe in myself more than anyone else.”:, track and field athletes have much to teach us about motivation, perseverance, and the pursuit of our dreams. Their quotes serve as a reminder that even the toughest challenges can be overcome with determination, hard work, and a positive mindset. Whether you're an aspiring athlete or simply someone who appreciates the spirit of competition, these quotes will provide inspiration to help you chase your own goals and live life to the fullest.
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