The Olympics are an amazing thing for so many reasons. First of all, you've got hundreds of countries from all around the world coming together in the name of athletic competition rather than war. That's a pretty powerful thing. Also, the games motivate even the most nonathletic of people (me) to go out, be active, and achieve something. Out of everything though, my favorite thing about the Olympics would have to be the stories. All the athletes have such unique and inspiring stories to tell. Stories of trial and tribulation. Stories of failure. Stories of perseverance. And for some, stories of faith.
It seems like more and more Olympians are opening up about their Christian identity. There's Gabby Douglas, Katie Ledecky, David Boudia, and Steele Johnson just to name a few. I was thinking about this the other day; about how it seems that there are so many Olympians unequivocally professing their faith. Why is that? I mean its great, but its not something I notice as much with movie stars and other celebrities.
Perhaps its because these Olympians have been training their entire lives to achieve one goal. They have fought hard against the odds in order make it to the place where only the best of the best go. These Olympic athletes have gone so far as to drink in the ultimate glory that this world has to offer and it made them realize that all the fame and success that comes with winning doesn’t last and cannot satisfy. The Christian athletes know that measuring oneself based on personal success only leads to emptiness and disappointment.
Take the story of Michael Phelps for example. I think its safe to say that everyone and their grandma has heard of him, and rightfully so because Michael is the most decorated Olympian of all time. According to our culture which tells us that fame and wealth amount to happiness, he should have been care free and the picture of a blissful life after his "final Olympic games" in 2012. If that's true, how then would you explain the dark place that Phelps found himself in after those Olympics ended? Though he had it all and could basically do whatever he wanted in his retirement, Michael was anything but happy.
His hedonistic choices eventually caught up with him when he received his second DUI in 2014. Michael reflected on this point in his life saying, "I had no self-esteem, no self worth. There were times where I didn't want to be here. It was not good. I felt lost." Phelps felt so far gone that he even contemplated taking his own life. Of course, we know his story did not end there. Michael was soon led onto a path of forgiveness, redemption, and greater purpose. Now he's back for more in Rio, competing for more than just his own self-glorification.
The Olympic diver, David Boudia had a similar experience after the 2008 Olympics. He said, "living for David's fame and David's pleasure was one of my biggest problems in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was the cause of my deepest moments of despair." However, through the help of his trainer David discovered that a life devoted to Christ is greater than any medal he could ever receive. Now he understands that all of his gifts and accomplishments do not belong to him, and with this knowledge he makes a point to always give God all the glory and honor in everything he does. I'm not sure I've seen an interview with him yet where he doesn't explain that his identity comes from God alone and not his success in the sport of diving.
I feel that there is much to be learned from these athletes. Not many of us can say that we've made it to the Olympics and garnered a great amount of fame and wealth, but they have. And despite all that, they will still say that there is something far greater than those achievements. They aren't afraid to let the world know that the greatest reward comes not from winning or being the best, but rather from serving God and others. These Olympians remind us that we will never find true satisfaction in reaching all the worldly goals we set out to reach. Whether our goal is to lose a certain amount of weight, become valedictorian, buy a nice sports car, or travel around the world, nothing will quench our thirsting hearts except the One who who loved us into existence.
"Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in thee." ― St. Augustine of Hippo, "Confessions"
