--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started this I wanted to get back…" description: "\"When I started this I wanted to get back in the pool, I wanted to race and I wanted to go to the Olympics. I still want to do all of those things.\" — I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b0/ian-thorpe-20569_back_when-i-started-this-i-wanted-to-get-back_1183085.jpg" --- # When I started this I wanted to get back in the pool, I… ![“When I started this I wanted to get back in the pool, I wanted to race and I wanted to go to the Olympics. I still want to do all of those things.” quote by Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b0/ian-thorpe-20569_back_when-i-started-this-i-wanted-to-get-back_1183085.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b0/ian-thorpe-20569_back_when-i-started-this-i-wanted-to-get-back_1183085.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b0/ian-thorpe-20569_back_when-i-started-this-i-wanted-to-get-back_1183085.jpg) > “When I started this I wanted to get back in the pool, I wanted to race and I wanted to go to the Olympics. I still want to do all of those things.” [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on his enduring Olympic ambitions and love of competition, emphasizing that his goals remain unchanged over time. **In simple terms:** He still wants to race and aim for the Olympics. Key Takeaway Keep pursuing long‑term dreams. Themes ambition sports perseverance Mood determined reflective Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - training - career planning - motivational speaking - coaching Key Concepts goal setting athletic identity Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take now to stay aligned with your original aspirations? - How do you adapt when circumstances shift? A Different Perspective Physical limits or life changes may hinder achieving Olympic goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Olympics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympics/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) ## Related quotes > [Most people enter my business thinking of being on-air or a director. I started because I wanted to start a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-burke/most-people-enter-my-business-thinking-of-being-on-air-or-a-director/) [Doris Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-burke/) > [My father represented India at the Olympics, and I also want to do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeev-milkha-singh/my-father-represented-india-at-the-olympics-and-i-also-want-to-do-that/) [Jeev Milkha Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeev-milkha-singh/) > [I'm close to the Olympics. I want to snatch 100kg, but I need to master more techniques in order to do that. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hidilyn-diaz/i-m-close-to-the-olympics-i-want-to-snatch-100kg-but-i-need-to-master/) [Hidilyn Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hidilyn-diaz/) > [I know everyone has Olympic dreams, but if you really think about it, you just don't want to go to the Olympics. You want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-mikulak/i-know-everyone-has-olympic-dreams-but-if-you-really-think-about-it/) [Sam Mikulak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-mikulak/) > [People watch the Olympics because they want to believe in heroes; I know I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikaela-shiffrin/people-watch-the-olympics-because-they-want-to-believe-in-heroes-i/) [Mikaela Shiffrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikaela-shiffrin/) > [Growing up with brothers, I've always been a very competitive person and also very involved in sports. So when I was younger, whatever sport…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-bleiler/growing-up-with-brothers-i-ve-always-been-a-very-competitive-person/) [Gretchen Bleiler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-bleiler/) > [NHL clubs have not wanted to go to the Olympics, and we have been saying that for months if not years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bettman/nhl-clubs-have-not-wanted-to-go-to-the-olympics-and-we-have-been/) [Gary Bettman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bettman/) > [I had big goals, I wanted to go to the Olympics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-fraser/i-had-big-goals-i-wanted-to-go-to-the-olympics/) [Mat Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-fraser/) > [I wanted to do whatever I can for Olympics. I just want to give my best shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jwala-gutta/i-wanted-to-do-whatever-i-can-for-olympics-i-just-want-to-give-my/) [Jwala Gutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jwala-gutta/) > [I was running track early in my years and I was breaking track records in sprint running. I was training and I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-e/i-was-running-track-early-in-my-years-and-i-was-breaking-track/) [Sheila E](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-e/) > [My grandmother always acted in other people's interests, whether they wanted her to or not. If they'd had an Olympics in martyrdom my grandmother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-levine/my-grandmother-always-acted-in-other-people-s-interests-whether-they/) [Emily Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-levine/) > [I am not promising that God will give you everything you want. There are times when we want things that God knows would not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-am-not-promising-that-god-will-give-you-everything-you-want-there/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [We might make money and be in the careers we're in, but we don't need a bunch of stuff. We like showcasing that and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brie-bella/we-might-make-money-and-be-in-the-careers-we-re-in-but-we-don-t-need/) [Brie Bella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brie-bella/) > [If you want the things people don't have, you have to do the things other people will not do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/if-you-want-the-things-people-don-t-have-you-have-to-do-the-things/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) > [I only want 3 things: See you. Hug you. Kiss you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shruti/i-only-want-3-things-see-you-hug-you-kiss-you/) [Shruti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shruti/) ## More by Ian Thorpe > [I'm disappointed that I really haven't been able to race in a way that is reflective of the amount of work that I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/i-m-disappointed-that-i-really-haven-t-been-able-to-race-in-a-way/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [The only thing is I am a little bit ashamed of is I didn't come out earlier, that I didn't have the strength to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/the-only-thing-is-i-am-a-little-bit-ashamed-of-is-i-didn-t-come-out/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [I think now I'll probably take a few days off and enjoy the competition and then sit down with a few people and work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/i-think-now-i-ll-probably-take-a-few-days-off-and-enjoy-the/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [For myself, losing is not coming second. It's getting out of the water knowing you could have done better. For myself, I have won…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/for-myself-losing-is-not-coming-second-it-s-getting-out-of-the-water/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [I swam the race like I trained to swim it. It is not mathematical. I just let my body do it. It is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/i-swam-the-race-like-i-trained-to-swim-it-it-is-not-mathematical-i/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [I am not going to allow myself not to perform well just because I don't feel well. I am bulletproof to the extent that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/i-am-not-going-to-allow-myself-not-to-perform-well-just-because-i-don/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [I'll go for broke. Swim faster. It's not going to be easy - this whole thing was never going to be easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/i-ll-go-for-broke-swim-faster-it-s-not-going-to-be-easy-this-whole/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [This is why relays are so important, because you can find more in yourself for someone else, than what you can ever find for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/this-is-why-relays-are-so-important-because-you-can-find-more-in/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [Compared to how I have raced before and how I have competed, the success that I have had, this does look like doom compared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/compared-to-how-i-have-raced-before-and-how-i-have-competed-the/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [I'm not worried about the pressure that comes with it, a little concerned, but not worried,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/i-m-not-worried-about-the-pressure-that-comes-with-it-a-little/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [Training in that cold pool of a morning really tests you, whether you really want to do it or not,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/training-in-that-cold-pool-of-a-morning-really-tests-you-whether-you/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [There is water in every lane, so it is OK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/there-is-water-in-every-lane-so-it-is-ok/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [Part of me didn't know if Australia wanted its champion to be gay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/part-of-me-didn-t-know-if-australia-wanted-its-champion-to-be-gay/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [Im pleased to say that in telling them, and especially my parents, they told me that they love me and they support me. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/im-pleased-to-say-that-in-telling-them-and-especially-my-parents-they/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) > [This Is Me”: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I'm attracted to women, I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-thorpe/this-is-me-for-the-record-i-am-not-gay-and-all-my-sexual-experiences/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) [Explore all 30 Ian Thorpe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-thorpe/) ## More Back quotes > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/i-honestly-would-like-to-get-that-frankie-fight-back/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [Drumming's pretty physical. We sit at the back of the stage getting beat up like a workhorse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lee/drumming-s-pretty-physical-we-sit-at-the-back-of-the-stage-getting/) [Tommy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lee/) > [I never want to look back on any moment and say I could have done more. So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/) [Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/) > [I wish that I had known back then that a mastery of process would lead to a product. Then I probably wouldn't have found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/i-wish-that-i-had-known-back-then-that-a-mastery-of-process-would/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > [It's what the people wanted at the time, but the country could not be half-segregated and half-integrated, just as it could not be half-slave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wallace/it-s-what-the-people-wanted-at-the-time-but-the-country-could-not-be/) [George Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wallace/) > [I've always stuck my arms behind my back anyway when trying to block a shot in the penalty area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bright/i-ve-always-stuck-my-arms-behind-my-back-anyway-when-trying-to-block/) [Millie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bright/) > [I'm sure at some point I will get back into coaching, but right now I need to focus completely on my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ewing/i-m-sure-at-some-point-i-will-get-back-into-coaching-but-right-now-i/) [Patrick Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ewing/) > [Any time someone achieves success before they've earned it, it always comes back to haunt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/any-time-someone-achieves-success-before-they-ve-earned-it-it-always/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Back in the really olden days, dinner was seldom a ceremonial event for U.S. families. Only the very wealthy had a separate dining room.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/back-in-the-really-olden-days-dinner-was-seldom-a-ceremonial-event/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [We're all painfully aware of how suddenly violence can occur, how crippling it is, and how survivors have to find a way back from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/we-re-all-painfully-aware-of-how-suddenly-violence-can-occur-how/) [Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/) > [Ronaldo is just an athlete. He works so hard and back to back; he is always there. But if you work hard, can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-davids/ronaldo-is-just-an-athlete-he-works-so-hard-and-back-to-back-he-is/) [Edgar Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-davids/) > [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. 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