I wanted to do something nobody ever did. This goes hand in hand with my goal of changing swimming.

This is the first medal I’ve ever won in an international meet. For it to be gold is incredible. It feels great. I can’t explain it.

I’ve been able to get an excitement back in the water.

There is a one woman in China that claimed she paid $50 to get my e-mail address. It was pretty shocking. I got one this morning from Scotland. A girl’s requesting a signed photo of me.

I see my goals as personal and I always have. That’s just been how I’ve worked.

I learned how fast you can go from being an international hero to being a reference in a joke on a late night talk show.

Once I’m already in my room, I still have to open a door to get into my bed. It’s like a giant box. It’s like the boy in a bubble.

I feel like Aaron brings out the best in me.

My strategy is that I actually have absolutely no strategy.

I treat every race the same. We all wanted to swim fast today and give something back to the crowd.

Not having to travel and being able to settle in has helped me in training life and school life. I’ve learned to get a grip and take care of myself.

It’s cool just because I’ve had this dream of changing the sport of swimming and it’s finally happening.

I am 26 and, and I don’t recover as fast as I have in the past.

I used to always go to church on holidays, but I don’t go much any more.

Once I retire, I’m retiring. I’m done.

I’m the same kind of guy before all this happened.

Before, it came easy for me. I don’t have two speeds anymore. I need to focus on the small things that I once took for granted.

I always thought, it would be neat to make the Olympic team.

I believe in God; I’m not saying I’m highly religious.