How we cite our quotes: (Book)
Quote #1
The fact that Avner came to hold this belief did no mean that he would brood, sulk, or feel ill done by. On the contrary. It meant only one thing. He would compete. He would beat the Galicianers at their own game. He would become so unique, so extraordinary, so unbeatable at something that in the end he would come out on top. Ahead of Galicianers, kibbutzniks, you name it. No matter how smart, strong, determined, unscrupulous they might be. He'd win. (Vengeance)
Well, that's one way to deal with a rough deal: if you don't like the system, beat it. His determination to "win"—even though for Avner, this had nothing to do with sports—is a very Olympic quality indeed.
Quote #2
Years later, recalling the moment when he first caught a glimpse of the German, Owens wrote, "Long was one of those rare athletic happenings you come to recognize after years in competition – a perfectly proportioned body, every lithe but powerful cord a celebration of pulsing natural muscle, stunningly compressed and honed by tens of thousands of obvious hours of sweat and determination. He may have been my arch-enemy, but I had to stand there in awe and just stare at Luz Long for several seconds. (Triumph)
Owens saw in Long all the things he prided himself on. Sure, Long was going to be pretty much his only competition in the long jump at the Berlin Games, but the ultimate sportsman wouldn't begrudge him some respect.