"It's not important to be the best. It's important to represent your heart. Sports can unify the Iraqi people--no Sunnis, no Shiites, just sport for the country."

-- Dana Hussein Abdul-Razzaq, a female sprinter from Iraq

"It has been my dream, and it's fine to be here. Participating in a race at the Olympics was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It felt like I was flying."

-- Zakia Nassar, a female swimmer from Palestine

"We work very hard amid difficult conditions and lacking lots of things. We don't even have a running track. But in spite of this we are determined to participate in the Olympics because it means a lot to us as Palestinians."

-- Yusef Hamad, a track and field coach from Palestine

"I feel so happy, both for joining the Olympics and finishing the race,"

-- Aguida Fatima Amaral, a female marathoner from East Timor

"I hope this [my bronze medal taken in men's under 58kg taekwondo at the Beijing Olympic Games] will send a message of peace to my country after 30 years of war,"

-- Rohullah Nikpai, a Taekwondo athlete from Afghanistan

"My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish."

-- John Stephen Akhwari, a retired marathoner from Tanzania