Sport & competition quotes, explained
Coaches and athletes on winning, losing and the work in between. Each one is checked against its original source, so you know who really said it before you use it.
Jordan lists his missed shots and lost games and says those failures are the reason for his success. The words were spoken by Jordan in a Nike ad written by its agency.
Read the full explanation →Latin for “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” Juvenal says that if you must pray for something, pray for these, not for wealth, power or a long life.
Read the full explanation →People who once ran their own government now only want two things, free food and entertainment. Rulers who supply both can keep power without being questioned.
Read the full explanation →The fastest runner doesn't always win and the strongest army doesn't always conquer. Luck and timing affect everyone, so talent alone is no guarantee.
Read the full explanation →A coach's line that only victory counts. UCLA coach Red Sanders said it first; Lombardi used it later and said he regretted how it was understood.
See who really said it →If you never try, you are guaranteed to fail, so take your chances. Gretzky said it to a hockey journalist in 1983, and the wording has shifted slightly since.
Read the full explanation →No quotes match these filters yet. New quotes are added every week.