Al Oerter Quotes, born September 19, 1936, in Astoria, Queens, New York, and passing on October 1, 2007, in Fort Myers, Florida, was an American discus thrower and the first athlete to win gold medals in the same Olympic event four consecutive times (1956, 1960, 1964, 1968). Raised in New Hyde Park, he discovered his talent at 15, later earning a track scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he won NCAA discus titles in 1957 and 1958. Setting four world records (1962–1964), including the first throw over 200 feet, Oerter overcame injuries, including a near-fatal 1957 car crash and a 1964 rib injury, to set Olympic records each time. After retiring, he became an abstract expressionist artist, founding Art of the Olympians, and carried the Olympic Torch in 1996. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, public statements, and posts on X—reflect his wisdom on competition, resilience, excellence, and life, capturing his indomitable spirit.
15 Al Oerter Quotes
- “I never set out to beat the world. I just set out to do my absolute best.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I don’t think the discus will ever attract any interest until they let us start throwing them at each other.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “To exercise at or near capacity is the best way I know of reaching a true introspective state. If you do it right, it can open all kinds of inner doors.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I don’t compete with other discus throwers. I compete with my own history.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The difference between winning and losing is one hundredth of a second.” (Bookey.app, 2023)
- “To win gold, it takes dedication, strength, and a belief in yourself.” (Bookey.app, 2023)
- “Champions are made when no one is watching.” (Bookey.app, 2023)
- “Competition in its best form is a test of self. It has nothing to do with medals. The winner is the person who gets the most out of themselves.” (MoreFamousQuotes.com, n.d.)
- “So what if I never win my fifth gold medal; it’s only one end of the string. It’s competing that matters.” (MoreFamousQuotes.com, n.d.)
- “These are The Olympics. You die before you quit.” (USOPM.org, 2019)
- “I thought my ribs would fall off.” (USOPM.org, 2019)
- “The pain was so rough it destroyed all my feelings for competition for a long time afterward.” (USOPM.org, 2019)
- “It’s a personal challenge to extend myself.” (MoreFamousQuotes.com, n.d.)
- “You push your limits until they break, and then you find new ones.” (Post on X, @OlympicQuotes, 2023-09-19)
- “Every throw is a chance to rewrite what you thought was possible.” (Post on X, @TrackLegends, 2024-06-01)
Al Oerter’s quotes are a powerful blend of grit, self-competition, and relentless pursuit of excellence, inspiring us to push our limits, compete against our own history, and find strength in adversity. Which one’s got you ready to hurl your own discus farther than ever? Drop it in the comments and keep Oerter’s Olympic legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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