Katarina Witt quotes

Katarina Witt is a German figure skater, widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history. Her artistry and athleticism earned her two Olympic gold medals and numerous world titles. She has become an icon both in the athletic world and as a cultural ambassador for Germany. Here are 25 of her quotes:

I can't say, 'It doesn't matter if you win or lose.' It's not true. You go in to win.

Katarina Witt

Skating taught me to set a goal and to block out other things and just focus on this one thing.

Katarina Witt

When I get up, I have a cup of coffee, surf the Internet, then do a half-hour run.

Katarina Witt

Money was never the motivation. It never should be in sports.

Katarina Witt

I'm the sort of person who needs a big mountain in front of me to climb.

Katarina Witt

When I go out on the ice, I just think about my skating. I forget it is a competition.

Katarina Witt

Almost nothing is presented to you on a silver platter. You have to really work for it.

Katarina Witt

As an athlete, you choose your sport and are drawn into it but your passion should never be driven by fame and fortune but a desire to create something special that people will always remember.

Katarina Witt

It's hard work to make a four-minute program look effortless and elegant.

Katarina Witt

I never really like to skate in an empty ice rink; I always need the attention of an audience.

Katarina Witt

It's not like I didn't do anything for 10 years and chose a new profession. I've been on the ice a lot. I'm not an outsider.

Katarina Witt

Sometimes, success almost haunts you. You want to be the best at everything you do and know you have to work hard.

Katarina Witt

The desire to really compete again has been there for a long time.

Katarina Witt

When you reach a certain level, you live in a bubble when all you think, dream and breathe is becoming the best athlete in the world.

Katarina Witt

I want to see sunrises in the mountains. You never get to see such things enough in a lifetime. I want to see more.

Katarina Witt

I started the class late. The teacher said I would have to learn as much in half a year that the others learned in a year. I did it.

Katarina Witt

I never had a serious injury that kept me out of a big competition. Now everyone has injuries - to their feet or their knees or their backs.

Katarina Witt

Every man prefers to look at a well-shaped woman instead of a rubber ball.

Katarina Witt

Sometimes I even now feel like a stranger in my country. But I knew there would be problems because I had seen the world as a skater. And now? A lot of people in eastern Germany have lost jobs, rents went up, food costs went up, unemployment went to 20 percent. Freedom is good, but it is not easy.

Katarina Witt

When you're young, you don't think very far ahead. You just think in terms of the next day, the next week, the next competition. You don't think about injuries that could threaten your long-term health.

Katarina Witt

I was an athlete. And I proved I didn't win just because I was pretty. I was good, too.

Katarina Witt

I learned not to depend on other people. I needed support, but it's you who has to go out and deliver.

Katarina Witt