Debbie Meyer

“I always felt that my greatest asset was not my physical ability, it was my mental ability.”

“I had a goal. I wanted to be the first woman to win three individual gold medals in one Olympics.”

“You have to be a little bit crazy to be a distance swimmer.”

“I swam with a lot of passion and I think that’s what made the difference.”

“I'm still trying to get over the fact that I won three gold medals. It's a lot to take in.”

“The pressure was enormous, but I learned to use it to my advantage.”

“My coach, Sherm Chavoor, was a genius. He knew how to push me to be the best.”

“Swimming is a sport of dedication and repetition. You do the same thing over and over again.”

“It's not about the medals, it's about the journey and the people you meet along the way.”

“I never thought of myself as a superstar. I was just a girl who loved to swim.”

“Being an Olympian is a responsibility. You're a role model for young athletes.”

“The water is my sanctuary. It’s where I feel most at peace.”