I had this sister that was born who was given up for adoption, and I never knew it.

I learned to take those experiences that were difficult in my life and in the adversity that I had overcome to use it for a positive change.

Training with Bela and Marta Karolyi took the joy out of the Olympics for me. I look back and feel there was a lot of verbal and physical abuse. For years, I felt it was my problem.

Autographs and pictures do get a little old, but I don't mind if the people want it.

As a competitive gymnast, my life has always been filled with challenges that would ultimately define my future. From day one, I was taught to be prepared at all costs.

My parents enrolled me in a gymnastics class when I was three years old, and I just was drawn to gymnastics. I loved it. It was my playground, and I could run around and be free there.

Since my mother is an extremely devoted Christian Orthodox woman, she prayed a great deal and taught me how to pray.

In my very first interview, at nine years old, I said I wanted to be an Olympic gold medalist. That was the first time I said it out loud in front of somebody other than my parents.

I was 26 years old when I found out that I had a sister who I never knew existed.

Tell me what we had was real, I whisper.

The greatest betrayal is betraying yourself.

As the psychiatrist said to the cannibal at the end of a session: "Your problem is easy you're just fed up with people."

Out of sight is out of mind.

You really can't please people. I know everybody's attention is on what I'm doing on the floor.

I was probably nine or ten the first time I heard there was no Santa Claus.

Rest assured that if you work every day at your art, using the materials nearest at hand, you will gradually discover such beauty in them that they will fill you with happiness.

You do what it takes. It was on me to deliver.

Italy is famous for fashion, food, Ferrari, and furniture - furniture was a segment where the companies in the high end are all small.

Be gentle and forgiving with yourself, abandon any and all shame, and refuse to engage in any self-repudiation.