I know that feeling, because it coursed through me when I was their age. And it still does. I realize how important it is for me to push myself physically, because it’s my easiest

conduit to reach a more spiritual place. When I’m moving intensely and competing in the games, I feel I have a direct link to a vast and calm energy that I can control and direct.

Sport has given me the ability to be in tune with my body, and has taught me proper breat-

hing, core strength, and warrior spirit.

Surfing, snowboarding, martial arts (and still swimming) are some of the passions that allow me to tap into the divine energy that surrounds us. I get a sense of feeling centred.

I’m no longer just a body with arms and legs. Rather, I’m merged whole with my surroundings.

Back in 1980, I was in tremendous physical condition, but as in any extreme level of performance, my strength came just as much from psychological and spiritual preparation.

I honestly feel that opening myself to the underlying energy of my teammates, of swimming, and of sport itself—particularly during the boycott—helped me achieve my swimming goals.

Ten days after my Olympic race went off without me in Moscow, I broke the 200-meter butterfly world record in Irvine, California, with a time that was a second and a half faster than the Olympic winner. — Beliefnet.com