I mean you got to thank your parents for giving you the right genes.

About Eric Heiden

Eric Arthur Heidenis an American physician and a former long track speed skater, road cyclist and track cyclist. He won an unprecedented five individual gold medals, and set four Olympic records and one world record at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.

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More quotes from Eric Heiden

One thing is having skated five of the best races I’ve probably could have skated. It was nice to peak at the right time and to do it in an important time in somebody’s career.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

I didn’t get into skating to be famous.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

In general, I enjoy athletes who have a strong character who let their abilities speak for themselves.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

You got to get lucky because it lasts for a week and a lot of things can happen in a week.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

We used to lift weights a couple of times a week, we did a lot of running. I enjoyed the variety.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

I’m not a big fan of those who are egotistical and so outspoken.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

I mean you got to thank your parents for giving you the right genes.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

Sports and politics don’t mix.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

You don’t really want to load up a whole lot, probably anything more than four hours before the race. I needed something to make me feel full, but I certainly didn’t want it to make me feel stuffed.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

I would recommend anybody who gets a chance to see short track skating, make it a point to go out there when Apolo is skating because you won’t see anybody better.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

They’re just big in the eyes of the American public.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

I’d rather get a nice warmup suit. That’s something I can use. Gold medals just sit there. When I get old, maybe I could sell them if I need the money.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

I really liked it best when I was a nobody.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

I have a very close friendship with the skaters.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

Then going out on the ice usually about 15 minutes before and certain things I would do for the different races, aspects that you run through your mind.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

Heck, gold medals, what can you do with them?

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

When I was skating you had to participate in every thing.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

We had a party with the rest of the skaters in our trailer and then the next day we were off to see Jimmy Carter. And then we had the World Championships the next weekend, so not a lot of chance to catch up.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

Cyclists, I work with a number of cyclists. They are great athletes; they are great aerobic athletes. If you ask them to hit a baseball or golf ball, they can’t do that.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

Immediately after the Olympics, I was pretty fatigued.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

It’s not a sport you get famous at. If I wanted to be famous, I would have stuck with hockey.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater

We never did a lot of weights, but a lot of repetitions. The most I would use doing squats was 300 pounds.

Eric Heiden

American speed skater