True Olympic heroes thanking God for their gold medals

After the inexcusable, distasteful, and blasphemous opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games where organizers mocked the Last Supper, there were numerous athletes who came to the defence of Christianity and Jesus.

Naturally at the Olympics there are incredible performances of athletic greatness, but this year we also witnessed wonderful examples of Christian witness, of praising and giving thanks to Our Lord. 

Despite Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits religious expression by athletes, these Christian champions showed courage and boldness. The rule is a sad example of intolerance, discrimination, and restriction of freedom of speech; fortunately many athletes paid no attention to it and went ahead glorifying God on the world’s biggest stage.

Here are just a few of those Olympians who, in humility, deflected attention away from themselves and toward God: Novak Djokovic (Serbia, tennis), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (U.S., track/hurdles), Jayson Tatum (U.S., basketball), Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany, shot-put), Simone Biles (U.S., gymnastics), Rayssa Leal (Brazil, skateboarding), Katie Ledecky (U.S., swimming), Annette Echikunwoke (U.S., track), Nicola Olyslagers (Australia, high jump), Cole Hocker (U.S., track, 1500 meters), Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia, track), Tatjana Smith (South Africa, swimming), Kennedy Blades (U.S., wrestling), Cordano Russell (Canada, skateboarding), Larissa Pimenta (Brazil, wrestling), Odette Giuffrida (Italy, judo), Adam Peaty (Great Britain, swimming), Rebeca Andrade (Brazil, gymnastics), Adriana Ruano and Jean Pierre Brol (Guatamala trap shooting), Caio Bonfim (Brazil, race walking), Gabriel Medina (Brazil, surfing), Tsige Duguma (Ethiopia, track), Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix (Great Britain, diving) and the Fiji Olympic team.

All of these athletes were medallists and there were so many more who spoke about their faith during the Paris Olympics.

Before getting into a few individual stories, it is important to consider why there is a significant increase in the willingness of high-profile athletes publicly professing their faith. Our world, especially the western world, has increasingly accepted immorality in our lifestyles and in public policy. Many things once considered good are often seen as bad and things once considered unacceptable or even unimaginable are now accepted as good. Christianity is being constantly attacked, disrespected, and even thought of as hateful in many circles. The last acceptable form of discrimination is against Christianity.

Most professional sports leagues pursue policies that go against Christian principles. Even before the Olympics, there was an effort on behalf of Catholic Christian athletes to push back and defend their faith. What happened in the Paris opening ceremonies I believe galvanized the courage of Christian athletes further.

Of course, the task of speaking the truth about Jesus is not demanded only of world class athletes. All of us must simply and perhaps gently let our friends, family, and co-workers know Jesus is our rock and foundation through the good and tough times. It takes courage, but God promises that the Holy Spirit will give us the right words. After all, eternal life is on the line for us and our friends.

Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer has been my favourite tennis professional, certainly well above Novak Djokovic. I haven’t always been a fan of Djokovic’s on-court antics, but my view of the Serbian tennis player has changed since I saw him speak so strongly about the goodness of God during the Olympics, especially after he won his gold medal. He collapsed to his knees and then looked up to thank God, crossing himself. In his post-gold interviews he usually made a point of kissing his cross and giving glory to God. This action could have caused him problems with Olympic authorities in Paris but he didn’t care. I sense that he took the opening ceremonies as a serious insult to God and wanted to make reparation.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

“What I have in Jesus is far greater than what I have in life. He has prepared me for a moment like this, that I may use the gifts that he has given me to point all the attention back to him.” These are the words that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone said after she broke her own world record for the sixth time, winning gold. She attended a Catholic school run by nuns. “I would take my love for Christ over a gold medal any day. I want to use my platform to glorify God.”

Yemisi Ogunleye

“This message is evidence of God’s grace, mercy, and sovereign power,” stated German Yemisi Ogunleye a few days after the Olympics ended. In her post-medal press conference she sang the gospel song “I Almost Let Go,” the song she sang just before her last throw, which won her the gold medal. “I am alive today because of his grace.” The shot-put champion was told by friends that she could lose endorsements if she keeps speaking this way. She responded that she doesn’t live for people’s approval: “I am not going to compromise the truth.”

Cole Hocker

“I just let God carry me through the finish line.” This is how Cole Hocker saw the 1500 meter run that upset two favourites to win him the gold. He credits his faith and his high school coaches at Cathedral Catholic High School for much of his success.

Julien Alfred

Runner Julien Alfred stated these words after winning the first ever medal (gold) for Saint Lucia: “I thank God for giving me the strength to come so far. Father, I give you glory.”

Katie Ledecky

“I say a Hail Mary before every race.” Katie Ledecky feels that her Catholic faith and Mary’s intercession give her peace during competitions. Ledecky has won nine swimming gold medals and 14 overall medals in her Olympic career, making her the most decorated female swimmer in history.

Many leaders in sports are participating in a revolution that is showing the world the love of God. Will you follow your baptismal promises and the example of these athletes and do the same thing in your daily life? You know you are not alone.

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