In 1984, I was conclusively diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Since that diagnosis, my symptoms have increased and my ability to speak in audible tones has diminished. If there was anything that would strike at the core of my confidence in myself, it would be this insidious disease. But my“confidence and will to continue to live life as I choose won’t be compromised.
Early in 1996, I was asked to light the caldron at the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Of course my immediate answer was yes. I never even thought of having Parkinson’s or what physical challenges that would present for me.
When the moment came for me to walk out on the 140-foot-high scaffolding and take the torch from Janet Evans, I realized I had the eyes of the world on me. I also realized that as I held the Olympic torch high above my head, my tremors had taken over. Just at that moment, I heard a rumble in the stadium that became a pounding roar and then turned into a deafening applause. I was reminded of my 1960 Olympic experience in Rome, when I won the gold medal. Those 36 years between Rome and Atlanta flashed before me, and I realized that I had come full circle.
Nothing in life has defeated me. I am still the "Greatest." This I believe.
我出生在肯塔基州的路易斯維爾，從小就對自己的力量非常有自信。我的父母將自豪感與自信心灌輸給了我，他們告訴我和弟弟在任何事情上都要相信自己能夠做得最好。我對父母的教誨深信不疑，因為我仍然記得當初我是鄰裏小朋友中的彈子球冠軍。我還記得我向鄰居的男孩們挑戰，看誰跳過的籬笆更高，或與他們比賽看誰先跑到街區那頭。當然，向他們發起挑戰時我知道自己會贏——我甚至連想都沒想過自己會輸。