17 motivational quotes from your favorite 2016 Olympians

We love them even more.
 By 
Nicole Gallucci
 on 

So far, the 2016 Rio Olympics have been filled with awe-inspiring achievements from some of the greatest athletes in the world.

From Michael Phelps' phenomenal Olympics finish to Simone Manuel making history as the first African-American female swimmer to win gold in an individual event, athletes in this year's games exhibited ultimate displays of good sportsmanship, endurance and gratitude.

In addition to their impressive athletic abilities, it appears that some of our favorite 2016 Olympians are quite the motivational speakers.


You May Also Like

Here are 17 quotes from the world's greatest athletes whose journeys, beliefs and goals are sure to inspire you.

Bronte Barratt, Swimming 

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Serena Williams, Tennis

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Jake Dalton, Gymnastics

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Joseph Schooling, Swimming

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite:Clive Rose/Getty images

Emma Coburn, Track and Field

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Gabby Douglas, Gymnastics

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Usain Bolt, Track and Field

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Patrick Smith/Getty images

Sarah Robles, Weightlifting

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Simone Manuel, Swimming

Mashable Image
Credit: MASHABLE COMPOSITE: AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES

Oksana Chusovitina, Gymnastics

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Missy Franklin, Swimming

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Clive Rose/Getty images

Andre de Grasse, Track and Field

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Paul Gilham/Getty images

Simone Biles, Gymnastics

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Lars Baron/Getty images

Allyson Felix, Track and Field

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Shaun Botterill/Getty images

Ibtihaj Muhammad, Fencing

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Tom Pennington/Getty images

Chris Brooks, Gymnastics

Mashable Image
Credit: mashable composite: Ryan Pierse/Getty images

Michael Phelps, Swimming

Mashable Image
Credit: Mashable composite: Adam Pretty/Getty images

Topics Olympics

Mashable Image
Nicole Gallucci

Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
How is 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 2 different from the books?
Walker Scobell in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians."

Walker Scobell says 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 3 is 'even better than I imagined'
Walker Scobell against a backdrop of the poster for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.

Instagram is nostalgic for 2016 again (yes, really)
2016 glasses on a table

Was 2016 the last good year?
Stylized illustration of a viewer facing TV screens showing the 2016 election, a gorilla, and two rival political figures celebrating.

The best horror movies of 2025, and where to watch them
Composite of horror movie images from 2025

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.


Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!