U.S. athletes: eyes on the Olympic prize
U.S. athletes, eyes on the prize ahead of this year’s Summer Games in Brazil, have their own ways of enduring arduous training sessions or getting in the zone before a competition.
Music is a source of inspiration and motivation for athletes from swimmers to gymnasts, fencers to sitting volleyball players. Country music, hip-hop, R&B or hard rock - tastes are as varied as the Olympic sports they practise.
Swimmer Missy Franklin says she likes to listen to country music, and to worship music on the way to practice.
Swimmer Ryan Lochte.
"I love the song 'I'm a Diva' by Beyonce because it's like my alter ego. I want to be the best and I have to get through this to do it," runner Allyson Felix says of her training sessions.
Rugby player Carlin Isles.
"If I had a song I would play before competition it would be 'All I Do Is Win' by DJ Khaled," says hurdler Aries Merritt.
Gymnast Maggie Nichols.
Decathlete Ashton Eaton likes listening to the Nothing But Thieves song "Itch" for training inspiration.
Golfer Lexi Thompson likes to listen to hip hop and R&B before her rounds of golf, and hard rock in the gym.
Canoe slalom competitor Michal Smolen.
Gymnast Sam Mikulak's favourite artist to listen to during training is Kygo.
Gymnast Gaby Douglas.
Swimmer Natalie Coughlin.
"I don't need to set a world record in practice," says swimmer Nathan Adrian. "I just need to do the best I can do that day."
Sitting volleyball Paralympian Bethany Zummo.
"I like listening to Chance the Rapper before I work out," says swimmer Conor Dwyer, who trains for 4-6 hours a day.
Triathlete Greg Billington.
Fencer Mariel Zagunis.
Gymnast Simone Biles.
