Most people doing the decathlon these days are quite boring, so people don't relate to them. Daley Thompson boredaydecathlon Change image and share on social
There are lots of women tennis players, for instance, but because not many of them seem to have much personality, they're interchangeable. You don't have a feeling about them. Daley Thompson feltinstanceinterchangeable Change image and share on social
If you work hard in real life, people tend to get in your way - either from inertia or prejudice - and they stop you achieving things. It's the worst thing about real life compared with sports, where you generally get what you deserve: if you're the fastest guy, you win; there are no other games being played. Daley Thompson achievebadcompare share on social
Los Angeles was great fun because it was the polar opposite of Moscow in 1980. It was sunny and bright, lots of colours around, whereas Moscow was dark and oppressive. Daley Thompson angelesbrightcolour Change image and share on social
Kids have been let down by adults - we've tried to give them too much, we've tried not to impose discipline. We've tried to make their lives easier and, in doing so, we've taken something away from them. Kids like boundaries, they also like to be pushed, need to learn what failure is all about, need guidance. Daley Thompson adultboundarydiscipline share on social
Having the ambition of becoming Olympic champion is a whole different ambition from wanting to be the greatest. Daley Thompson ambitionchampiongreat Change image and share on social
I have the mentality of a winner. I first went to the Olympic Games when I was 17, three weeks after my O-levels, and I remember sitting in a dining-hall filled with the world's best athletes. Daley Thompson athletedinefill Change image and share on social
We crave instant success these days. If you are a really good sprinter and long jumper, you don't want to spend two or three years on a whole new set of events. You're used to doing well and it's difficult to give that up. Daley Thompson cravedaydifficult share on social