Paris Olympics 2024 Golden Moments

 

“Getting to know Jesus was a turning point in my life.  I’ve experienced hope, confidence, and peace, through the Olympics, and through life.  Jesus is always with you.”

~ Annette Echikunwoke, USA Silver Medalist, Hammer Throw

 

“What I have in Christ is far greater than what I don’t have in life.  He has prepared me for a moment such as this.  That I may use the gifts He has given me to point all the attention back to him.”  “Records come and go, the glory of God is eternal.  I no longer run for self-recognition, but to reflect His perfect will that is already set in stone.  I don’t deserve anything.  But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything.  I credit all that I do to God.  Regardless of what has happened He’s going to get praise through me.”

~ Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, USA Gold Medalist, 400m hurdles

 

“My identity isn’t a golf score…I believe in Jesus, that’s what defines me the most.”

Scottie Scheffler, USA Gold Medalist, Golf

 

Harvard University degree in neurobiology and global health

Master’s degree in Epidemiology from University of Texas

Volunteers at a clinic for the uninsured in Texas

Hopes to run a hospital to provide healthcare for those in need

“Who I am off the track has always come first.  Your sport is not who you are.  I hope when they look at me and they see what I do, they’re inspired to work hard.  They’re inspired to be kind to people and to give back to their communities when they can.  If I can leave that message with the world, then I’ve done my job.”

~ Gabby Thomas, USA Gold Medalist, 200m, 4x100 meters relay, 4x400meters relay

 

When interviewed, a reporter stated that Yemisi Ogunleye was in a gospel choir and asked what song she was thinking about as she waited to throw.  Instead of just mentioning the title of the song, “I Almost Let Go,” by Kurt Carr, she sang it!

“So I’m here today because God kept me

I’m alive today only because of His grace

Oh He kept me, God kept me

God’s mercy kept me

He kept me so I wouldn’t let go”

Yemisi Ogunleye, Germany Gold Medalist, Shot Put

 

When she was a teenager, Lola Anderson wrote in her diary, in pink highlighter, “My name is Lola Anderson and I think it would be my biggest dream in life to go to the Olympics and represent Team GB in rowing and, if possible, win a gold medal.”  Feeling like she was being cocky, Lola threw her entry in the trash.    Her father, Don, a rower himself, retrieved the crumpled-up piece of paper and saved it.  Seven years later he gave it to his daughter, two months before he died of cancer.  Lola won gold in the Paris Olympics and credits her dad for the inspiration.  Danielle Sherman-Lazar reminded, “Parents. You have a lasting impact.  What you say becomes what your children think.  If you believe in them, they’ll believe in themselves – and they could win gold.  You should be the reason they always try.  It matters.”

~ Lola Anderson, Great Britain Gold Medalist, Women’s quadruple Sculls

 

And whatever we do, may it be for God’s glory! 

 

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Olympic Observations

 

* For these few weeks we have the opportunity to concentrate on the good, positive, athletic, and talented people in our world.

* Knowing the hours of training, dedication, commitment, discipline, and hard work to train for a sport, athletes are quick to congratulate, encourage, and console each other before, during, and after competitions.

 

* It doesn’t matter which state an athlete comes from, or which university they attend, we are Team USA!

 

* The youngest Paris Olympian is 11-year-old Zheng Haohao, from China, who competed for women’s skateboarding.

 

* Mary Hanna, a 69-year-old Australian equestrian traveling reserve, is the oldest athlete in the 2024 Olympics.  Juan Antonio Jimenez Cabo, an equestrian from Spain, is 65 years old.  There are 15 Olympic athletes between ages 41 to 69.

 

* Approaching a finish line, it’s best to not slow down.

 

* Athletes who come in second in the heats or semi-finals can win in the finals, sometimes breaking Olympic and world records along the way.

 

* When an athlete tripped or fell, they got up and finished the race.

 

* Many athletes have had hardships to overcome in life.  Training and participating in their sport gave them an incentive to work for and hope.

 

* Countries still send athletes to compete, even when they have never won a medal.  In the Paris Olympics, two athletes won the first medal ever for their countries.  Julien Alfred, of Saint Lucia, ran in the women’s 100-m final, and earned a gold medal.  Thea LaFond, of Dominica, made history by winning a gold medal with a 15.02-meter jump in the triple jump. 

 

* Athletes are quick to acknowledge and thank parents, family, coaches, teammates, and some even God, for helping them reach their potential.  They know they didn’t succeed on their own.

 

* Win or lose, the cameras can be on you!

 

Whether it’s the Olympics or everyday life, may we, too, be quick to encourage those around us as we offer our hope, congratulations, appreciation, and/or consolation.

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Olympic Moments

On Tuesday night, Italy’s women’s gymnastics team earned the silver medal.  That was the first Olympic medal for their sport in 96 years!

University of Virginia’s Gretchen Walsh set a new Olympic record in the semifinals for the 100-meter butterfly.  For the finals, she lost the gold to her teammate, Torri Huske, by 0.24 seconds!  After receiving their medals, Torri signaled for Gretchen to join her on top of the podium for the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner.

 

Growing up, Stephen Nedoroscik competed in gymnastics.  He was known for going to the gym an hour early just to practice on the pommel horse.  Eventually, his father was able to locate and purchase a used one so Stephen could practice at home as well as the gym.  When he wasn’t progressing as much as he needed to on all of the events, Nedoroscik decided to turn his attention, time, and practice strictly to the pommel horse.  Self-described as “Nerdy,” Stephen graduated from Penn State with a degree in engineering and was part of the gymnastics team.  He spends the majority of Olympic competition waiting, encouraging and celebrating his teammates, and mentally preparing himself for his one event.  Because everyone did their part, the men earned bronze in their Olympic competition.

 

Katie Ledecky is the first female swimmer to win a gold medal at four different Olympics.  Not only did she win the gold for the 1500m in 2024, she set a new Olympic record.  During the 15-minute swim, Ledecky said, “I kind of let my mind wander during the race, thinking of all the people that have trained with me, just kind of saying their names in my head and thinking about them.”  She also thought about her Florida crew from her training grounds at the University of Florida.  Ledecky has now earned the most medals of any woman in Olympic history.

 

Jordan Chiles was on the verge of quitting gymnastics, due to her inconsistency in her events.  She was in a toxic training environment.  That’s when Simone Biles reached out and invited Jordan to move from Washington to Texas and train with her at her gym.  The first things they worked on were encouraging Chiles and building her confidence.  Then the work on the skills followed.  Two years later Biles and Chiles are competing in the Olympics together and won the team gold.  Jordan is known for being an encourager for her teammates.  An observer noted that everyone needs a Jordan Chiles in their life and then to be a Jordan Chiles for someone else.

 

Whether training for the Olympics or for life, may we be willing to put in the time, effort, and energy to use our gifts and abilities to make a difference.

 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25