We just closed the books on another Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. Amid the hype and some controversy, some athletes cemented their names in history while others jump-started their careers. Events of this magnitude offer a chance at glory and a moment on the world stage — but also a platform for witness. Some athletes did just that. Here are some Catholic Olympians from past and present.

Britta Curl-Salemme, who played on the U.S. women’s hockey team that broke Canada’s hearts, winning gold in overtime, says she draws strength from her Catholic faith. Hockey is her “path to becoming a saint,” she said, because in a team sport “you sometimes have to die to yourself and put the team first,” she told The Catholic Spirit. St. Therese of Lisieux helped reignite her faith in college.

Jadin O’Brien competed in bobsled for the U.S. and has overcome a serious health issue. “I use my platform to glorify God,” she said. At every event she blesses the race location with holy water. “At competitions I just dive into my faith; I stop thinking and just do.”

Kacpar Tomasiak, a Polish ski jumper, drew attention after placing his silver and bronze medals on the altar of a church in Predazzo, Italy. He became the first Polish jumper to medal three times in one Olympics. Instead of celebrating, he asked for a Mass of thanksgiving, Father Edward Plen said. “His humility is striking, especially given the scale of his achievements,” he told the Catholic Register. He crosses himself before every jump and serves as an altar server in his parish. “You do not need to loudly proclaim your faith; people who look at your life will begin asking about Jesus and that is the greatest victory,” Father Plen said.

Maxim Naumov lost both parents in a 2025 plane crash over Washington, D.C., but his faith helped him return to competition and qualify for this year’s Olympics. He spoke of skating with love in his heart and Mary by his side. His second piece was set to Ave Maria. He crosses himself before every routine and wears his cross. After his final routine, holding a picture of his parents, he said, “I love you. We did it. God is good,” according to Aleteia.

Yuna Kim, Olympic gold and silver medalist from South Korea, converted to Catholicism in 2008 after a knee injury and care from Catholic doctors. “I had a providential encounter with these Catholic doctors who would quote from the New Testament to keep my morale high,” she said, according to Catholic Review. She also met met a priest in the hospital who gave her private lessons in understanding more about the Bible and Church teachings. “I felt a tremendous consolation in my heart and I promised God that I would pray always before competitions,” she said. She chose Stella Maris as her confirmation name and often prayed and made the sign of the cross during competitions. She later joined Korean bishops in a national campaign to explain the Rosary and volunteered at Catholic hospitals, according to the National Catholic Register in 2014.

Tara Lipinski, who won gold in Nagano in 1998, credited St. Therese with helping her recover from injury and succeed. She placed a statue of her favourite saint on the boards during her skates and thanked St. Therese publicly when she won gold.

Kirsten Holum, a U.S. speed skater in Nagano, is now a Poor Clare nun in Leeds, England. A pilgrimage to the Marian shrine at Fatima changed her life. After setting a junior world record in the 5,000-metre race, she retired not long after. “I think deep down everyone is desiring to do something great. It is only when you really get in touch with God’s plan for you that you really find peace,” she said, according to Aleteia.

Your voice matters! Join the conversation by submitting a Letter to the Editor here.