Summer Olympics by ChristianMingle

The competitive energy is running high in London right now, and many athletes are turning to their number one stress reliever: God.

Team USA athletes have been vocal about how their faith has helped them overcome the challenges associated with being a world-renowned competitor. In particular, elite runners such as marathoners Ryan Hall and Meb Keflezighi, and hurdler Lolo Jones, have attributed their athletic success to their Christian beliefs and faith in God. Even during the hustle and bustle of the upcoming athletic competitions, God has remained central to their lives and has helped them persevere to become the successful athletes they are today.

Ryan Hall (marathoner) states, “I’m very open about saying I don’t have it all figured out,” Hall said. “I don’t necessarily feel I’ve hit a marathon completely right yet. But I don’t think that’s a reflection of some character flaw. I’ve learned to see myself as God sees me. We believe God sees us as perfect, almost as if we have a Jesus suit on, because he died for us and took away our sins.”

Allyson Felix (sprinter) shares, “My faith inspires me so much. It is the very reason that I run. I feel that my running is completely a gift from God and it is my responsibility to use it to glorify him. My faith also helps me not be consumed with winning, but to see the big picture and what life is really all about.”

Sanya Richards-Ross (sprinter) also shared, “My faith keeps me grounded. People always ask me how come I'm so good, and even though I try never to overwhelm people with my faith, I always think to myself, how come God is so good. My faith also encourages me to give my best. I know that my talent is God's gift to me, and how I use it is my gift to him.”

Scripture reminds us that perseverance is not only central to the challenges that we may face in our daily lives, but in the building up of our faith. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” – 2 Peter 1:5-7.