17 Inspirational Olympic Quotes To Prep For Rio

Whether you're on the #RoadToRio, don't know much about the Olympics, or just watch YouTube clips of the gymnastics highlights (guilty), you won't be able to deny the huge impact of inspirational Olympic quotes. These are people who dedicate their entire lives to a sport that takes every ounce of their attention, energy, and heart. These are people who gave up their childhoods and school dances and relationships and social lives to pursue a sport and represent their country.

When you live an all-or-nothing kind of life, and every day you take a beating and make a sacrifice, you wind up having a lot of really inspiring things to say — mainly because you have to inspire yourself every day. That, and you're surrounded by people who are living the same dream.

So even if you don't know much about the actual sports, you won't be able to deny the beauty in their words — they'll make you want to be the best version of yourself and do better at whatever it is that you do. Because living your life with passion and dedication is a completely different way of living, it's a choice. You don't have to be representing your country to care about what you do and to live your life with gusto.These are 17 super inspiring quotes from some of our most famous Olympians:

"'It's not the destination, it's the journey.'"

Missy Franklin is a three-time medalist at 2011 FINA World Championships and first-time Olympian.

"'Falling in life is inevitable — staying down is optional.'"

Carrie Johnson is a two-time Olympic kayaker.

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

Muhammad Ali was a gold medalist in boxing in 1960.

“It’s all about the journey, not the outcome.”

Carl Lewis was gold medalist in athletics in 1996, 1992, 1988, and 1984 and silver medalist in 1988.

"You have to train your mind like you train your body.”

Caitlyn Jenner was a gold medalist in decathlon in 1976.

"Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work.”

Andre Agassi was a gold medalist in tennis in 1996.

"'Steady, ready, poised, winning.'"

Arielle Martin was a 2011 BMX Supercross World Cup Champion and first-time Olympian.

"'If you think you're done, you always have at least 40 percent more."

Lauren Crandall was a captain of the 2012 U.S. Olympic field hockey team.

"I am building a fire, and everyday I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match."

Mia Hamm was a gold medalist in women's football in 2004 and 1996 and silver medalist in 2000.

"When anyone tells me I can't do anything, I'm just not listening anymore."

Florence Griffith Joyner was a gold medalist in athletics in 1988 and silver medalist in 1988 and 1984.

"The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours."

Peggy Fleming was a gold medalist in figure skating in 1968.

"Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It's our goal in life to find it and keep it lit."

Mary Lou Retton was a gold, silver, and bronze medalist in gymnastics in 1984.

"Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us."

Wilma Rudolph was a gold medalist in athletics in 1960 and bronze medalist in 1956.

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does — that makes you a winner right there."

Venus Williams was a gold medalist in tennis in 2008 and 2000.

"Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting and, of course, the thrill of finally achieving your goals. These are all lessons in life."

Kristi Yamaguchi was a gold medalist in figure skating in 1992.

"All the physical comes from the mental.”

Clara Hughes was a six time medalist in cycling and speed skating, earning one gold, one silver, two bronze in the over three Winter Olympics and two bronze medals in the Summer Olympics of 1996.

“Part of being a champ is acting like a champ. You have to learn how to win and not run away when you lose.”

Nancy Kerrigan was a 1992 Olympic Bronze medalist, the 1993 US National Champion, the 1994 Olympic Silver medalist, and a two-time world medalist.

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."

Michael Jordan played on Olympic gold medal-winning basketball teams in 1984 and 1992.

Get pumped, everybody — see you all on the #RoadToRio!