We’ve heard a lot about Olympians training regimens….anything that would give them an edge in these Olympic games. Could faith help an athlete win a medal?
When Team USA members David Boudia and Steele Johnson emerged simultaneously crying and smiling from their final dive at the Rio Olympics, the silver medal in men’s synchronized platform diving was theirs.
But the glory, both men said minutes later, belonged to someone else.
Boudia, told NBC “We both know our identity is in Christ,” Johnson, added, “Going into this event knowing that my identity is rooted in Christ and not the result of this competition just gave me peace. And it let me enjoy the contest. God’s given us a cool opportunity, and I’m glad I could come away with an Olympic silver medal.”
In terms of religion, the 554 athletes of Team USA are a cross-section of the nation they represent, with Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, Buddhist and Muslim members, among others. It also has members who — like 23 percent of Americans — are unaffiliated with any religion.
But Boudia’s and Johnson’s remarks raise a question: Does religious faith give an athlete an edge?
Many athletes have spoken of the support faith gives them; tennis player Serena Williams, golfer Bubba Watson, quarterback Tim Tebow, pitcher Curt Schilling, and retired NFL coach Tony Dungy are the best-known among them.