Numerous athletes representing their countries at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, gave thanks to God for enabling them to achieve athletic success on the international stage. Here are just a few of the competitors and teams that gave thanks to God or acknowledged their faith throughout the Tokyo Games:
Caeleb Dressel: American swimmer Caeleb Dressel left the Tokyo Olympics with five gold medals after breaking several world records – including his own. The 24-year-old Floridian completed the 100-meter butterfly in 49.45 seconds and broke his world record by .05 after setting an American record in the 100-meter freestyle. He also swam in the 50-meter freestyle semifinals. Dressel has been open about his Christian faith, which he says is the driving force for him to continuously push forward. A large eagle tattoo covers the top of his left shoulder, which represents one of his favorite Bible verses, Isaiah 40:31, which says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. It’s the reason I’m in the sport — not just to go fast times, but to inspire people and show them where I find my happiness with what God’s given me.”
Sydney McLaughlin: U.S. Olympian Sydney McLaughlin won gold in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a world record time of 51.46 seconds. She edged out teammate, Dalilah Muhammad, with an amazing burst of speed in the final 100 meters in what track and field experts called a “race for the ages.” McLaughlin, 21, has been open about her Christian faith and after her victory she stated, “I felt immediate excitement and overall gratefulness. I owe it all to God, my family and my team. I’m still in disbelief, but it’s truly just faith, trusting the process, and seeing my hard work along with the gift of God being put into action and knowing that He’s in control of everything. And I really cannot do anything more but give the glory to Him at this point. I no longer run for self-recognition, but to reflect His perfect will that is already set in stone. Thank you, Father.”
Allyson Felix: Heading into Tokyo, Allyson Felix was already one of the top female Olympians in track and field history. Now she has just surpassed the U.S. track and field record for most Olympic medals – the record held by track star Carl Lewis – winning her 11th Olympic medal on Saturday morning in the women’s 4x400m relay. A devout Christian, she has said that faith is a critical component in her life. “I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at a very young age. Ever since then, I have continually been striving to grow in my relationship with God,” she said. “I was nowhere close to the perfect child. I had my share of difficult times along with some disappointing choices that I made, but thankfully God never stops loving me. I feel so blessed that God has given me the talent of running. My running is an amazing gift from God and I want to use it to the best of my ability to glorify Him.”
Tatjana Schoenmaker: An Olympic swimmer from South Africa is attributing her success to God after setting a new record in the women’s 200-meter breaststroke. Throughout all her competitions in the Tokyo Olympics, Schoenmaker has worn a green cap with a white cap underneath proclaiming her Christian faith. The white cap features an image of a blue Jesus fish and the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria,” which means “Glory to God Alone” printed on the side of it. Schoenmaker posted a prayer ahead of her travels to Tokyo for the Olympic games: “Father God, may Your will be done, may Your peace fill us up, may we praise You no matter what the outcome, may we be empowered by Your strength to give our all and may we forever be in awe of Your goodness!” she wrote. “Thank You for bringing us to this very moment.”
Athing Mu and Raevyn Rogers: Athing Mu won a gold medal for Team USA in the 800-meter dash in Toyko and praised God after becoming the first American woman to win the event since the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. “God definitely took the battle for this one!” she tweeted shortly after her victory. “So, thank you Lord! Her teammate, Raevyn Rogers, secured a bronze medal for the U.S. in the event. Like Mu, Rogers uses her social media platform to profess her faith, with her Twitter biography reading “Led by His guidance,” accompanied by an emoji of praying hands.
Fiji’s Men’s Rugby Team: After winning Olympic gold, Fiji’s men’s rugby team raised their powerful voices and sang praises to God. While it is unknown whether all of the players on the team are Christian, their voices united in song in praise of the Lamb of God presented an inspiring, “spine-tingling” image to the world. “We always start with our prayers and songs,” explained team captain Jerry Tuwai, “and we always end with our prayers and songs, and that song says that our God is a loving God, and that while we always tend to go stray from what he expects from us, he still loves us, and gives us good things.”
Helen Maroulis: American wrestler Helen Maroulis defeated Mongolia’s Khongorzul Boldsaikhan 11-0 in a bronze medal match at the Olympics. Maroulis, 29, became the first U.S. female wrestler to win more than one Olympic medal. She won gold in Rio in 2016. Two serious concussions led to Maroulis being diagnosed with PTSD, and she briefly retired before deciding to return to the mat. Her bronze medal carries a special significance after all she’s been through. She credited God for helping her return to the sport she loved. Maroulis, a devout Christian, told Sports Spectrum her walk with the Lord began back in 2010 when a coach invited her to go to church. She had planned on sleeping through worship service, but she heard a sermon that “totally rocked (her) world.” Maroulis is outspoken about her faith and often mentions it during interviews and to her followers on social media. The first three words on her Twitter bio are “God, family, wrestling.”
Mensah-Stock: Mensah-Stock, 28, made history at the Olympics when she became only the second woman — and the first black woman — to win an Olympic wrestling gold medal for Team USA in the women’s 68-kilogram freestyle final, according to NPR. Of course I surprise myself,” a jubilant Mensah-Stock told reporters after the victory. “It’s by the grace of God I’m even able to move my feet. I just leave it in His hands and I pray that all the practice … my coaches put my through pays off and, every single time, it does.” The athlete — clearly honored to carry the American flag — said it feels “amazing” to represent the United States. “I love representing the U.S. I … love living here. I love it. And I’m so happy I get to represent USA!”