I believe in the impossible because no one else does.

I used to be teased for the way I wore my hair at school. I used to do things like wear a different-colored sock on each leg.

The main reason I wanted to be successful was to get out of the ghetto. My parents helped direct my path.

I like being unconventional.

I don't do drugs. I never have taken any drugs. I don't believe in them.

People don't pay much attention to you when you are second best. I wanted to see what it felt like to be number one.

If you want to run as fast as the men, you've got to train like the men.

I know what I have to do, and I'm going to do whatever it takes. If I do it, I'll come out a winner, and it doesn't matter what anyone else does.

I pray hard, work hard, and leave the rest to God.

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

A muscle is like a car. If you want it to run well early in the morning, you have to warm it up.

Nothing is going to be handed to you -- you have to make things happen.

Of course, most people remember that I received the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics competition.

I have had a few turning points, the first day I entered a gymnastics school at age 6.

One of the most difficult times in my life was when I escaped from Romania in November of 1989.

I ended up in the US for a month or so, before moving to Montreal with some Romanian friends.

We are not coaching on a daily basis because we often travel with our charity and commercial interests.

I worked hard in gymnastics since the time I was six years old until I retired at 23 years of age.

As an Olympic champion gymnast, I have always stayed involved in my sport.