Bryan Volpenhein

“I think I have experience in rowing, and that has given me some ability to go about racing. I'm lucky genetically. I have a good VO2 max - I can hold a lot of air in my lungs - and that definitely helps.”

“I'm not disappointed with bronze. It's always good to come away with a medal.”

“Without something I'm really excited about... I'd be really lost.”

“Right now my favorite book is 'Omnivores Dilemma.'”

“I'm very competitive, but I know when not to be competitive. I know how to have fun, but I know when it's time to get serious. That makes things a lot easier.”

“In rowing, you're always striving for that perfect stroke, that repetition, each one being as good as the last. Same thing with cooking. You can't say, 'Oh, I don't feel well, so I'm going to put out a crappy plate.'”

“Surfing - I have to go surfing.”

“There's way more pressure cooking for cooks than rowing at the Olympics.”

“I borrowed a lot of money from my parents in the years leading up to the 2000 Olympics, and I worked odd jobs.”