A curated register of quotes from under-represented voices.

“ No medal, no accolade or exam results are more important than your mental health. ”

— Simone Biles

“ Everybody can play a role in combatting child food poverty in the UK and your role can be as small as a kind word or gesture. ”

— Marcus Rashford, 2020

“ I'm naturally a quiet guy, but I work hard and I try to earn the respect from my teammates through my dedication and my hard work. ”

— Eli Manning, 2020

“ I knew I was going to have to outwork people, I knew I was going to have to outsmart. ”

— Michael Oher, 2023

“ Everyone thinks women should be thrilled when we get crumbs, and I want women to have the cake, the icing, and the cherry on top too. ”

— Billie Jean King

“ I'd rather regret the risks that didn't work out than the chances I didn't take. ”

— Simone Biles

“ There are people who can help, and there is usually light at the end of any tunnel. ”

— Naomi Osaka, 2021

“ I'm a soccer player, I'm Christian, and I'm gay. Those are things that people might say wouldn't go well together. But my family raised me to be an individual and to stand up for what I believe in. ”

— Robbie Rogers, 2013

“ We have to protect our body and our mind. It just sucks when you're fighting with your own head. ”

— Simone Biles, 2021

“ It is not an issue if a straight man plays rugby, and I hope my decision will ensure it is not an issue if a gay man plays rugby. ”

— Gareth Thomas, 2009

“ I always wanted to not just be a tennis player. ”

— Coco Gauff

“ So why does Wimbledon choose to place a lesser value on my championship trophy than that of the 2005 men's winner Roger Federer? ”

— Venus Williams, 2006

“ Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. ”

— Wilma Rudolph

“ The money part also allows you freedom, freedom to speak out, freedom to make bold choices, freedom to maybe go against your federation. ”

— Megan Rapinoe, 2022

“ When I leave this world, I don't want to be remembered as just being good at tennis. I want to be remembered as a good person and a good advocate. ”

— Coco Gauff, 2022

“ The pressure I did feel before matches was self-inflicted. I didn't go out on court there thinking about what was being said in the papers and on TV about me. ”

— Tim Henman, 2017

“ I do hope that people can relate and understand it's O.K. to not be O.K., and it's O.K. to talk about it. ”

— Naomi Osaka, 2021

“ Pressure is a privilege. ”

— Billie Jean King, 2008

“ It's not your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. And you can get through this. ”

— Ian Wright, 2021

“ I'm ready mentally, physically, and emotionally. And I'm here to stay, I'm not back, I'm better. ”

— Sha'Carri Richardson, 2023

“ A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall. ”

— Serena Williams