“In boxing, where most of the guys are from lower-class backgrounds and have darker skin than most of the fans, one might fear that the athletes are being exploited. But that narrative doesn't hold up very well in the world of MMA, where 99 percent of fighters are amateurs who will never earn a dime. They aren't seeking fame and fortune. For the most part, these guys are fighting because they want to and because it gives them an opportunity to strive for something big in their lives. It gives them a chance to become their best selves.” WorldWantGivingWellsSelfBigsMightGuyFightingOpportunityChanceClassFansFamePercentSkinsFortuneStriveAthleteSeekingBackgroundsFighterNarrativeBoxingMmaDimesBest SelfLower Class Author:Jonathan Gottschall
“Olympics are probably the most important thing for Russians than any other athletes in the whole world. Since I was a little kid and since everybody was a little kid, their dream was playing in Olympic Games, especially if we have a chance to represent our country in Sochi, it's unbelievable and it's going to be a great thing.” IfsWorldLittlesImportantCountryWholeDreamKidsGamesChanceImportant ThingsAthleteWhole WorldGreat ThingsOur CountryOlympicsUnbelievableLittle KidOlympic GamesSochi Author:Alexander Ovechkin
“The beauty of all these years of singing the anthem is that I got a chance to meet athletes that I love, and there was a mutual respect.” YearsChanceSingingAthleteMutualAnthemMutual RespectSinging The National Anthem Author:Jeffrey Osborne
“On today's athletes: I wish I could turn back the clock a little bit so I'd have a chance to cut it up with those guys.” LittlesTodayGuyTurnsWishBitsSportsChanceCuttingLittle BitAthleteClock Author:Eric Heiden
“Cycling is a sport of amazing athletes. Its been a privilege and a honor for me to be in this sport and to have a chance to race at the highest level.” SportsChanceLevelsRaceHonorHighestAthletePrivilegeCycling Author:Robin Farina
“When I was in my routine training for the Israeli army as a teenager, they discovered completely by chance that I was a lethal sniper. I could hit the target smack in the center further away than anyone could believe. Not just that, even though I was tiny and not even much of an athlete, I was incredibly accurate throwing hand grenades too. Even today I can load a Sten automatic rifle in a single minute, blindfolded.” BelieveI CanHandsTodayChanceMinutesTrainingArmyAthleteTinyTeenagerTargetRoutineThrowingAccurateLoadIsraeliRiflesSmackGrenadeBlindfoldedSnipersIsraeli Army Author:Ruth Westheimer