Only By God?s Grace Have I Made

I Wanted No Part Of Politics. And I Wasn't In Berlin To Compete Against Any One Athlete. The Purpose Of The Olympics, Anyway, Was To Do Your Best. As I'd Learned Long Ago From Charles Riley, The Only Victory That Counts Is The One Over Yourself.

I Let My Feet Spend As Little Time On The Ground As Possible. From The Air, Fast Down, And From The Ground, Fast Up.

People Come Out To See You Perform And You've Got To Give Them The Best You Have Within You.

I Fought, I Fought Harder . . . But One Cell At A Time, Panic Crept Into My Body, Taking Me Over.

Awards Become Corroded, Friends Gather No Dust.