As the world’s top athletes gather for the ultimate test of strength, speed and skill, a remarkable group of competitors stands out – not just for their incredible abilities, but for their unwavering commitment to their faith. From Eric Liddell, the legendary Scottish sprinter who refused to run on Sundays, to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the record-breaking hurdler who gives God the glory for her success, Christian Olympians have been making waves at the Games for over a century. When given the chance to bask in the glory of their achievements, these athletes often take a different path, choosing instead to honor the One who gave them their talents.
As we prepare to witness the thrill of competition this Summer, let us take a moment to appreciate the believers in the arena who are shining a light for Christ with every step, vault, stroke, and jump. Their stories are a testament to the power of faith and a reminder that, even in the midst of human achievement, there is a greater glory at work. In the following report, we will introduce you to some of the inspiring Christian athletes who are making a difference at the Olympics, and explore how their faith drives them to excel in their respective sports.
Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone (400m Hurdles)
“Praise God,” she told NBC this Summer after once again furthering her 400 meter hurdles world record. “I was not expecting that, but He can do anything. Anything is possible in Christ. So yeah—I’m just amazed, baffled, and shocked.”
Brody Malone (Gymnastics)
“After taking a few days to reflect on this past weekend, my mind keeps going back to [Psalm 115:1]. As soon as my injury happened, I was flooded with a lot of different emotions. Pain, regret, confusion. While lying on the stretcher, I remember saying to God, ‘I don’t know why you did this, but I guess it’s part of Your plan.’ I immediately felt at peace about it and knew that He was going to somehow use my injury to display His glory. That peace kept me from being upset it happened, and allowed me to focus on what good would come from it. I am incredibly grateful to be representing the team.”
Olivia Lundman (Race Walking)
When speaking about mental health struggles, Lundman said: “When I was struggling, I used to think, God, why have you abandoned me? Where are you? I didn’t realize that it was during those times that I was struggling that he was the only one that was keeping me going and carrying me through each day.”
Stevan Micic (Wrestling)
“I know my family loves me, God loves me. I would say the good news about Jesus is that He’s always there for you, whether things are going good or things are going bad. He’s never going to forsake us.”
Anna Hall (Heptathlon)
Often using the hashtag #Histiming for setbacks and victories, this was her response on an interview with Sports Spectrum on what Jesus means to her:
“He is my Lord and Savior. Jesus is the reason that we’re here and that we are able to have hope. That affects all aspects of my life, but definitely sports as well. For me, that’s been something I’ve started to get more comfortable sharing. My own growth and my faith over the last few years has definitely been a huge, huge part of my life.”
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