Q&A
What was it like to win the gold medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games?
Winning the gold in Atlanta ranks at the very top. It was the first major competition that I won. Even though I've followed it up with Grand Slam titles, it's still the most memorable because it was my first big title. My emotions have never been topped by what I felt in Atlanta. It was an incredible experience.

What did winning the gold medal do for your career?
Winning in Atlanta definitely gave me so much confidence. I was always hanging around the No. 10 ranking. After winning the gold medal, my career has gone up. Winning the Olympic gold medal was really the springboard -- just the confidence that it gives you to know that you can pull through a very tough tournament.

What other sports do you like?
I've always been a big volleyball fan because of my family. My dad played on the U.S.A. volleyball team at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. My mom does a lot of administrative work for U.S.A. Volleyball. I've been around that sport since I was born.

Track and field is very exciting with Michael Johnson, Marion Jones, and all those other great athletes. Basketball with the "Dream Team," and water polo -- there are so many great sports that the Americans do well in that are fun to support.

Is there pressure to defend your Olympic title?
I don't look at it as defending my title. I look at it as another opportunity to win another gold medal. There will definitely be a lot of pride in trying to win a gold medal again. But, if not a gold, then any medal.

The Olympic Spirit in YOU!
Lindsay Davenport used the confidence she gained from winning a gold medal to improve her game and win other major titles. The confidence we gain from our achievements helps us to do better in our other endeavors. The following exercise will help you to better understand how confidence in yourself and your achievements can help you tackle new challenges.

Make a list of three of your recent achievements. The achievements might be a good grade you received, a good performance in sports, music, or drama, or something you accomplished outside of your school life, perhaps in community service. For each achievement, list two or three things you did well that helped you accomplish it. Write down three new challenges you face. Review the successful things you did to accomplish your recent achievements. Use these things to gain the confidence you need to take on new challenges.

More Interviews

Akhnaten Spencer-El Alison Dunlap Anna Kozlova Barb Kunkel Chris Witty Dominique Moceanu Dan O'Brien Hunter Kemper

Jimmy Pedro Kevin Han Lindsay Davenport Laura Wilkinson Lisa Fernandez Mark Ruiz Ruthie Bolton-Holifield Tom Malchow

With thanks to Bob Schaller. For more great stories about Olympians, ask your librarian about The Olympic Dream and Spirit, Vol. 1,2, and 3, with Mr. Schaller, and Awaken the Olympian Within compiled by John Naber.