At least 12 confessing Christians are likely to win in Beijing.
TIME recently highlighted its "100 Olympic Athletes To Watch." As Olympic coverage cranks up, you'll be hearing more and more about them, although current reports seem mostly to have to do with the athlete's ages, injuries, and drug use.
Press agency AMP is working with the USOC and NBC to highlight other aspects of the athletes' lives. They've told CT about a number of confessing Christians among the American athletes most likely to medal. A large proportion of them mention Philippians 4:13 in interviews and on their blogs: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Allyson Felix, a sprinter, has a section about her faith on her blog that says, "If we can help you with your faith journey, and help you learn more about God, contact us." She's also one of the few athletes involved in USADA's Project Believe, which puts athletes through extensive drug testing. She wants everyone to know she's clean. After all, she's being compared to Marion Jones as well as Wilma Rudolph.
Tyson Gay has made a lot of news, for his hamstring injury, for being dubbed "Tyson Homosexual" by American Family Association's autoreplace, and now for being exceptionally polite. "When I raise my hands in the air it is to give God praise," he told a fan on Ask Tyson.
Prison guard and world marathon champion, Catherine Ndereba, aka Catherine the Great, is also on TIME's list as a Kenyan athlete to watch. This year's civil unrest in Kenya made training a lot scarier than it had been before, but Ndereba is back to winning again. Just over a week ago, she placed first in New York City's half-marathon.
Mark, Diana, and Steven Lopez are siblings competing in taekwondo. Their coach is their older brother. They all blog at First Family of Taekwondo. Diana says their parents always encouraged them to pray frequently and thank God in all things. The Lopezes attribute their interest in taekwondo, as well as their faith, to their parents: their father was a huge fan of kung-fu.
Jamaica-born Sanya Richards is "the youngest woman ever to break the elusive 49-second barrier at 400 meters," according to her website. She says her aunt is the person who encouraged her most to attend church regularly, something she had not done in Jamaica. There is speculation over whether her Behcet's Syndome - a disease she was diagnosed with last year - will flare up.
Marathoner Ryan Hall and his wife say that they're considering missions after the Beijing Games. But for now, they're concentrating on the Olympics and enjoying a life Hall says is a lot like retirement. Except with lots and lots of running. Hall speaks more about his faith on GodTube, his Runner's World blog, and to Today's Christian.
Decathlete Bryan Clay told Christianity Today about his involvement in Project Believe: "A huge reason why I haven't even been tempted to take drugs or do anything of that sort is because I realize that winning is not my life, it's not my identity. I know that God has me doing what I'm doing, I know that yes I can win, I also know that I'm not going to win all the time and I know that either way, win or lose, that God is going to provide for me."
Donny Robinson is one of the athletes competing in BMX racing, which is new this year to the Olympics. "Most people I'm around know that I try to live the most Christ-like life I can, and they accept what I represent," Robinson says.
Laura Wilkinson says she was on a diving platform on national television when she "asked God to forgive me for following my own path, and I gave my life back to Him." Beijing will be her third Olympics. She is one of the proud athletes who have been featured on a Wheaties box.
Swimmer and member of Catholic Athletes for Christ Kate Ziegler isn't on TIME's list, but as the world record holder in a distance swimming event, she's likely to get some mention.
NBCOlympics.com and TeamUsa.org have more about the athletes and other Olympic news, as well as information on events and schedules.
Posted by Susan Wunderink on August 5, 2008 8:08AM
Comments
You missed Ryan Hall. RunnersWorld's current issue has a cover story and large piece about his faith.
Posted by: chris at August 5, 2008
Thanks, Chris. I added him in. - Susan
Posted by: Susan Wunderink at August 5, 2008
Jeremy Knowles will swim for the Bahamas, but he was an All-American at Auburn and will become an elementary school teacher at Hickory Grove Christian School here in Charlotte when he "retires" from swimming after the Olympics. Here's a link to an article in today's Charlotte Observer.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/story/107373.html
Posted by: Warren Smith at August 5, 2008
It's awesome to see believers publicly displaying their faith! I love both faith and fitness. I'm really looking forward to following these athletes throughout the Games. I pray for their success, but more importantly their Christian witness before the world.
- Greg from http://FaithFirstFitness.com
Posted by: Greg at August 5, 2008
I recommend keeping an eye on Monica Abbott, the young pitcher for the USA Softball team. In 2007 she was named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and then followed that up by being named the 2007 Women's Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year. She may be the most dominating pitcher in softball (although Cat Osterman and Jenni Finch would argue with that). She also committed her life to Jesus Christ through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes while at the University of Tennessee.
Posted by: William P. Sulik at August 5, 2008
From the Grand Rapids Press:
Chris Kaman is a 26-year-old Grand Rapids native from Tri-unity Christian High School, starred at Central Michigan and enters his sixth NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers. He is a member of the German national team. He's never lived in Germany.
He has been called a traitor. His parents are dismayed that their son has been called names. To them he's a son, a Christian, a basketball player, a role model and an American.
http://www.mlive.com/grandrapids/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-5/1217735703247160.xml&coll=6&thispage=1
Posted by: Dave at August 5, 2008
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