Olympics: The best quotes the final round of the Games
All the best quotes from an historic final day in Rio..
Inbee Park, on becoming the Olympic champion
“I think definitely at the top because you know, this is something I’ve never done before. I’ve won Majors, but I haven’t won a gold medal, so this feels definitely very, very special and nothing I want to change. It’s a special week and special feeling, and I’m so honoured to represent my country. Being able to receive the gold medal on the golf course was an unforgettable moment.”
Lydia Ko, on support from her NZ compatriots
“That was one of the greatest things that I was really excited about this week was that I was able to meet other New Zealand athletes and see some that I had met before like Eric (Murray, gold medal rower). We’ve done a sponsor thing before. That’s been one of the greatest memories of this week is to see the other New Zealand athletes, see the New Zealand flag out there and them waving and shouting and supporting. It’s been amazing.”
Shanshan Feng, on her bronze medal
“Well, of course, China is a very strong country in the Olympics, and we’ve made so many gold, silver, bronze medals. So my bronze medal maybe doesn’t mean that much for the whole number, but to myself it means a lot, because this is golf back in the Olympics after over a hundred years, and I believe it’s the first time that a Chinese athlete is competing in this event.”
Charley Hull, on her Olympic experience
“My first Olympics was a fantastic experience and I got a good buzz off it. I thought it was great. I felt happy with my performance but it’s a shame I couldn’t come away with a medal.”
Maria Verchenova, on growing the game in Russia after a closing 62
“Me being here and playing here, it means a lot, because that’s going to push Russian golf forward and that’s what we need. Russian golf is kind of steady now. It needs to be pushed forward. Maybe kids see me on TV, and maybe they say, ‘oh, I want to play golf as well.”
Lexi Thompson, on the Olympic effect
“I’ve had more messages and more texts from people that don’t really watch golf. My parents have gotten messages from people that they haven’t heard from in years, and they are watching golf just because it’s part of the Olympics. I hope this made a mark for us, and hopefully, we’ll be in the Olympics for years to come.”
Brazil’s Victoria Lovelady, on her home Games
“The whole experience was amazing – arriving here, going to the Village, going to the Opening Ceremony, seeing my dad in the Opening Ceremony by coincidence, crying with him, singing the anthem, walking through the village with all the athletes, seeing Bolt, taking a selfie with Bolt, seeing Nadal. Everything was amazing.”
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