Stretching was a major part of my preparation.
I went to Moorehouse College. There was no track and field there.
One of my major competitors was Harold Smith. Smith beat me in 1977. I was loafing during that competition.
Both parents supported my becoming a world class athlete.
My father was an all-American football player.
Lots of people let it go by and never accomplish what they want. I just wanted to see what I could do.
I didn't get an athletics scholarship at a major school.
I always saw hurdles as a form of art, because it's very individual. One technique that may produce a world record for one guy could be useless for another guy.
I used to be seriously incognito - without wanting to be. The effect of the magazines, television, billboards - they've changed my whole life in terms of having to deal with being a, quote, star.
My eyes have been sensitive to light since the fifth grade. Without glasses I can't see the next hurdle.
I found ways to maintain my performance through working with professionals and doing things that other people weren't doing. Later in my career, I had a great physical therapist who kept me out on the track. We were doing innovative things like ice baths back in the early '80s when everyone else thought it was crazy.
I was always the guy kids came to for help.
One of the things I'm most proud of is I went through my entire career drug-free.
In 1974 or 1975, if someone had told me I was going to be an Olympic champion, I would not have believed it. Even in 1976, I'd not have believed it.
Chicago is a fantastic city, and I can easily see the Olympics setting themselves right here in Chicago.
Black athletes are always under more scrutiny.
Nobody can walk on a track and beat me unless they have an extraordinary day and I have a bad day, which I keep from happening.
Some days you really don't feel like racing and you have a great performance, some days you feel great and you have a mediocre performance.
When I first started running there were no computers. There was no such thing as a laptop.
I don't do Facebook, Twitter, I don't do any of the social media.
