"I was on my way (to the marathon) actually. I had just gotten out of the tunnel when the bomb exploded. It's just awful. It takes the joy out of sports - because that's what sports is supposed to bring is joy. It took all the joy out of the event and out of the day."

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers

"You never think anything like that can happen. For something to happen here, right where I live, right down the street from where I live, and close to home, I mean, it's sad."

Celtics swingman Jeff Green.

"Just a weird feeling, you know? Helpless feeling, too. Nothing we can do about it, you know what I'm saying? Innocent people get killed, doing something they love. Evil people out there, who don't value life."

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli.

"Boston is my home, just like everybody else in this clubhouse. Obviously, it's not a good situation. Hopefully just like 9/11, we come together, not only as a city again but as a nation. Whoever did this is going to realize we don't take kindly to things like this."

Red Sox pitcher John Lester.

"Boston, for me personally and my family, is a city we've fallen in love with, so when you see something like that happen, there's no doubt it affects you as an individual, and even for us as a group."

Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien.

"You're scared for anybody. You start thinking about people you know who are running the race and people who are down there watching ... You feel helpless and it's an empty feeling. It's tough to say what you felt, other than you're proud so many people are helping out and you start to hear back from people that you know and they're OK and you're happy. But, obviously, you know there are a lot of people who are getting different news and you feel pretty heartbroken."

Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference.

"It's such a great event and there are so many smiling faces, then you see the footage of sheer terror on people's faces. It's just a sad day."

Bruins forward Chris Kelly.

(China Daily 04/18/2013 page22)