It was something I really wanted to do. I can’t imagine what it will be like to carry the flag and walk through the doors of the stadium. I’m thrilled to lead the team.

There’s a lot more pressure when you’re a medal favorite. Now, nobody has any expectations for me. Nobody knows what I can do, so I’m riding with nothing to lose.

Abuse of any kind thrives off secrecy. I felt like if I started talking about it, maybe other people would. I wanted to break the silence. Now I feel I’m in a much better place emotionally than I’ve ever been anytime in my life.

Abuse exists because of secrecy. If I can use this platform and talk about it and break the silence, somebody can get the help and support they need. It’s such a common problem, and it doesn’t need to be. All you have to do is talk about it and break the silence.

It’s easier to limit yourself, but if you do, you will never reach your true potential.

If I break the silence, maybe others will, too. I think that's the toughest thing as a survivor. You're told to feel guilty. You're told it's your fault. When I realized it wasn't my fault, that's when the healing really began. For 20 years, I believed it was my fault. If you're a kid who is out there and this has happened, the adult knew better. You were taken advantage of. It's okay to talk about it.

It's important to talk about it. You raise awareness. But you can also prevent it (child abuse) by not letting it be a secret.

It's easier to limit yourself, but if you do, you will never reach your true potential.

If you want it and you dream about it...there's nothing that's going to stop you.

There's a lot more pressure when you're a medal favorite. Now, nobody has any expectations for me. Nobody knows what I can do, so I'm riding with nothing to lose.