There are several committed Christians taking part in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Today we’ll tell you who a few of them are.
A record 10,500 athletes are set to compete across 28 sports, representing 206 different nations. Among them are many committed Christians.
They include gymnast Gabby Douglas. She told Christianity Today that she “thanks God even when she falls.” Douglas became a national sensation at the last Games when she became the first African-American gymnast to win the women’s individual all-around event. She’s also written a book titled: Grace, Gold and Glory: My Leap of Faith.
Sprinter Asafa Powell of Jamaica is the son of two ministers and an occasional worship leader. He told the Jamaica Gleaner that he takes inspiration from Scripture before every race, explaining: “I have a verse I say each time I am going to run: ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.’”
Rugby player Leone Nakarawa. The giant Fijian is one of the more outspoken Christians in a team that prays and studies the Bible together as part of their training and preparations. He told Christian Today “we know that being here is not from our strength but from God and its all God’s plan that we are here. Even if we lose we know that there is something bigger.”
And Allyson Felix, a 400 meter runner from the US. She’s already won four gold medals. The daughter of a preacher, she describes her running ability as a gift from God.