As a young child, I was never a crier. I never cried to get my way, or even when I was in pain. Dan O'Brien childcriercry Change image and share on social
When my world record got broken in 1999, it hurt a little bit, to say the least. But I was in a leg brace at the time and I had just had knee surgery and I couldn't do anything about it. Dan O'Brien bitebracebreak Change image and share on social
You have to be able to be a good loser. You have to be okay knowing you're going to fail every day in something without getting mad and upset. Dan O'Brien dayfailgood Change image and share on social
I was a good decathlete until I got with a coach that really knew how to train specifically for the event... I'd really describe it as like being a juggler; you have ten balls and you're trying to get them all in the air at the same time. Dan O'Brien airballcoach share on social
The decathlon includes ten separate events and they all matter. You can't work on just one of them. Dan O'Brien decathloneventinclude Change image and share on social
Try everything, because you're never sure what you're going to be great at. Dan O'Brien great Change image and share on social
I was playing little league baseball when Bruce Jenner was winning the gold, but I don't think I was really paying attention at that time. It wasn't until 1980 - I think I was 12 years old - that I thought, 'Wow that's what I want to do. I want to be on the Olympic team.' Dan O'Brien attentionbaseballbruce share on social
I think what my parents did was perfect. They were strict, concerned about my safety and held me back just a little. Dan O'Brien backconcernhold Change image and share on social
To me, the decathlon is its own little society and I am part of that culture. Dan O'Brien culturedecathlonpart Change image and share on social
I didn't get a ton of interest from colleges in baseball and football, but I was outstanding in track and had the sense that this would be my meal ticket... Track was a sport where I saw immediate improvement, and I had a lot of good support behind me... and the coaches had a lot of experience and pushed me in that direction for sure. Dan O'Brien baseballcoachcollege share on social