--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world was watching, kids especially…" description: "\"“The world was watching, kids especially were watching, and it is so important to handle yourself-no matter the situation-with class and grace. It is m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/apolo-ohno-7126_watching-kids_the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-w_871508.jpg" --- # The world was watching, kids especially were watching, and… ![“The world was watching, kids especially were watching, and it is so important to handle yourself-no matter the situation-with class and grace. It is more important to be a champion off the field than on; that's what resonates with me.” quote by Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/apolo-ohno-7126_watching-kids_the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-w_871508.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/apolo-ohno-7126_watching-kids_the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-w_871508.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/apolo-ohno-7126_watching-kids_the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-w_871508.jpg) > ““The world was watching, kids especially were watching, and it is so important to handle yourself-no matter the situation-with class and grace. It is more important to be a champion off the field than on; that's what resonates with me.”” [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Maintaining composure and dignity is more valuable than winning, especially as a role model for youth. **In simple terms:** Grace matters more than victory. Key Takeaway Act with class in all situations. Themes leadership role model integrity Mood inspirational reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - coaching - media appearances - teaching children Key Concepts sportsmanship public image personal conduct Questions to Reflect On - How can you model grace under pressure? - What does being a champion off the field look like? A Different Perspective Winning alone doesn't guarantee respect; character builds lasting influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Self-respect, dignity and grace are very important. You may look a certain way or come from a certain background but when you have these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esha-deol/self-respect-dignity-and-grace-are-very-important-you-may-look-a/) [Esha Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esha-deol/) > [You just never know who is watching you - it is important to put your best foot forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-green/you-just-never-know-who-is-watching-you-it-is-important-to-put-your/) [Danny Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-green/) > [We always hark back to what we used to love watching as kids: 'Noel's House Party,' 'Don't Forget Your Toothbrush,' shows that had that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ant-mcpartlin/we-always-hark-back-to-what-we-used-to-love-watching-as-kids-noel-s/) [Ant McPartlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ant-mcpartlin/) > [Watching my kids grow up made me realize that they would never know a world or a time without the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-webber/watching-my-kids-grow-up-made-me-realize-that-they-would-never-know-a/) Jo Webber > [“The hardest thing about being a parent is watching your kids make mistakes. Our instinct is to protect you. But you're right, Deenie. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisi-harrison/the-hardest-thing-about-being-a-parent-is-watching-your-kids-make/) [Lisi Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisi-harrison/) > [You're watching your kids playing football, and you're not present. It's like the worst... it's horrible. I despise myself for it. I think it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/you-re-watching-your-kids-playing-football-and-you-re-not-present-it/) [Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/) > [I don't watch a lot of TV anymore. A lot of it isn't the kind of thing you can feel comfortable with watching with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-conway/i-don-t-watch-a-lot-of-tv-anymore-a-lot-of-it-isn-t-the-kind-of-thing/) [Tim Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-conway/) > [Watching kids go from the age of 9 and 10 to 13 is a big, huge jump. The way they speak, their looks, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shanola-hampton/watching-kids-go-from-the-age-of-9-and-10-to-13-is-a-big-huge-jump/) [Shanola Hampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shanola-hampton/) > [On 'The Mick' we want to make the funniest family show possible, but maybe pushing the boundaries of which family members you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlin-olson/on-the-mick-we-want-to-make-the-funniest-family-show-possible-but/) [Kaitlin Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlin-olson/) > [I know a lot for me, personally, the best moments have come from watching my kids have an experience I never thought about as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenya-barris/i-know-a-lot-for-me-personally-the-best-moments-have-come-from/) [Kenya Barris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenya-barris/) > [I used to baby-sit but never by myself. I always brought a friend with me, one of my girlfriends, and wed baby-sit together. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-cassidy/i-used-to-baby-sit-but-never-by-myself-i-always-brought-a-friend-with/) [Katie Cassidy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-cassidy/) > [Probably the best part of my life has been watching the kids play their games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-kramer/probably-the-best-part-of-my-life-has-been-watching-the-kids-play/) [Jerry Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-kramer/) > [On a day-to-day level, I love watching my kids accomplish the little things that seem trivial but are really milestones: seeing my son hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-lauer/on-a-day-to-day-level-i-love-watching-my-kids-accomplish-the-little/) [Matt Lauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-lauer/) > [It is nerve-wracking watching my kids' games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/it-is-nerve-wracking-watching-my-kids-games/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [I'm far more nervous watching my kids play than when I played myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-m-far-more-nervous-watching-my-kids-play-than-when-i-played-myself/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) ## More by Apolo Ohno > [When you reach that competing point, when you reach that time when the gun is about to go off, everyone's level is pretty much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/when-you-reach-that-competing-point-when-you-reach-that-time-when-the/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [One things guys have to remember is consistency... You can't make up for three years of eating poorly in just one workout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/one-things-guys-have-to-remember-is-consistency-you-can-t-make-up-for/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [I've always liked game shows - the competitive aspect and the character-driven personalities you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/i-ve-always-liked-game-shows-the-competitive-aspect-and-the-character/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [I believe my father has and always will be the strongest influence in my life, as he has guided me on many paths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/i-believe-my-father-has-and-always-will-be-the-strongest-influence-in/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [I could never focus on my upper body as a skater, so I'm enjoying having symmetrical upper and lower body muscle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/i-could-never-focus-on-my-upper-body-as-a-skater-so-i-m-enjoying/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [Broadcasting is definitely in my cards for the future, and I'm determined to work hard at it - to perfect it and create my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/broadcasting-is-definitely-in-my-cards-for-the-future-and-i-m/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [My first car was a Toyota 4Runner when I was 17. I paid for it myself. I was very happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/my-first-car-was-a-toyota-4runner-when-i-was-17-i-paid-for-it-myself/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [I think we should all be pursuing something of zero regrets, and how do we become greater than we were yesterday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/i-think-we-should-all-be-pursuing-something-of-zero-regrets-and-how/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [The older I get, the more and more I notice I'm like my father. It's funny, because when I was younger I tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/the-older-i-get-the-more-and-more-i-notice-i-m-like-my-father-it-s/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [My girlfriend has been the ice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/my-girlfriend-has-been-the-ice/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [You can't dwell on what happened. You can't live even a moment stewing in bitterness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/you-can-t-dwell-on-what-happened-you-can-t-live-even-a-moment-stewing/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [It's an individual sport, but collectively everybody shares the same motto that Ironman stands for: anything is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/it-s-an-individual-sport-but-collectively-everybody-shares-the-same/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [I think so many times in our society we focus so much on just the end result; when we finally reach that point we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/i-think-so-many-times-in-our-society-we-focus-so-much-on-just-the-end/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [A lot of times, some of my best ideas happen when I'm running. That's when I do my best thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/a-lot-of-times-some-of-my-best-ideas-happen-when-i-m-running-that-s/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [For me, the '60s in the automotive industry was awesome. The cars are heavy, huge, rolling works of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/for-me-the-60s-in-the-automotive-industry-was-awesome-the-cars-are/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) [Explore all 94 Apolo Ohno quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) ## More Watching Kids quotes > [On 'The Mick' we want to make the funniest family show possible, but maybe pushing the boundaries of which family members you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlin-olson/on-the-mick-we-want-to-make-the-funniest-family-show-possible-but/) [Kaitlin Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlin-olson/) > [It is nerve-wracking watching my kids' games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/it-is-nerve-wracking-watching-my-kids-games/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [On a day-to-day level, I love watching my kids accomplish the little things that seem trivial but are really milestones: seeing my son hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-lauer/on-a-day-to-day-level-i-love-watching-my-kids-accomplish-the-little/) [Matt Lauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-lauer/) > [Probably the best part of my life has been watching the kids play their games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-kramer/probably-the-best-part-of-my-life-has-been-watching-the-kids-play/) [Jerry Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-kramer/) > [I used to baby-sit but never by myself. I always brought a friend with me, one of my girlfriends, and wed baby-sit together. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-cassidy/i-used-to-baby-sit-but-never-by-myself-i-always-brought-a-friend-with/) [Katie Cassidy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-cassidy/) > [I know a lot for me, personally, the best moments have come from watching my kids have an experience I never thought about as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenya-barris/i-know-a-lot-for-me-personally-the-best-moments-have-come-from/) [Kenya Barris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenya-barris/) > [Watching kids go from the age of 9 and 10 to 13 is a big, huge jump. The way they speak, their looks, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shanola-hampton/watching-kids-go-from-the-age-of-9-and-10-to-13-is-a-big-huge-jump/) [Shanola Hampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shanola-hampton/) > [I don't watch a lot of TV anymore. A lot of it isn't the kind of thing you can feel comfortable with watching with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-conway/i-don-t-watch-a-lot-of-tv-anymore-a-lot-of-it-isn-t-the-kind-of-thing/) [Tim Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-conway/) > [You're watching your kids playing football, and you're not present. It's like the worst... it's horrible. I despise myself for it. I think it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/you-re-watching-your-kids-playing-football-and-you-re-not-present-it/) [Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/) > [“The hardest thing about being a parent is watching your kids make mistakes. Our instinct is to protect you. But you're right, Deenie. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisi-harrison/the-hardest-thing-about-being-a-parent-is-watching-your-kids-make/) [Lisi Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisi-harrison/) > [Watching my kids grow up made me realize that they would never know a world or a time without the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-webber/watching-my-kids-grow-up-made-me-realize-that-they-would-never-know-a/) Jo Webber > [We always hark back to what we used to love watching as kids: 'Noel's House Party,' 'Don't Forget Your Toothbrush,' shows that had that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ant-mcpartlin/we-always-hark-back-to-what-we-used-to-love-watching-as-kids-noel-s/) [Ant McPartlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ant-mcpartlin/) > [I'm far more nervous watching my kids play than when I played myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-m-far-more-nervous-watching-my-kids-play-than-when-i-played-myself/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [“Being mom is one of my favorite things. It makes my day watching my kids grow and accomplish things in their lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-penland/being-mom-is-one-of-my-favorite-things-it-makes-my-day-watching-my/) [Amanda Penland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-penland/) > [I'm enjoying watching my kids grow and play sports. That's a ton of fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-vinatieri/i-m-enjoying-watching-my-kids-grow-and-play-sports-that-s-a-ton-of-fun/) [Adam Vinatieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-vinatieri/) Browse all 16 Watching Kids quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The world was watching, kids especially were watching, and it is so important to handle yourself-no matter the situation-with class and grace. It is more important to be a champion off the field than on; that's what resonates with me.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Apolo Ohno" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-were-watching-and-it-is-so/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Watching Kids" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-were-watching-and-it-is-so/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/apolo-ohno-7126_watching-kids_the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-w_871508.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/apolo-ohno-7126_watching-kids_the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-w_871508.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/apolo-ohno-7126_watching-kids_the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-w_871508.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The world was watching, kids especially were watching, and it is so important to handle yourself-no matter…” — Apolo Ohno", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Apolo Ohno", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The world was watching, kids especially...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-were-watching-and-it-is-so/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/the-world-was-watching-kids-especially-were-watching-and-it-is-so/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```