Religion at the Olympics: American athletes unafraid to share their faith
The Olympics have deep religious and spiritual roots.
For the ancient Greeks, the sport of the Olympic Games was quite literally a religious exercise — a display of religious devotion and worship.
Athletes paraded into the stadium past a line of religious officials and often dedicated their performances to a patron god. Even the prizes were religious—crowns of olive leaves made from trees in a sacred grove dedicated to Zeus.
When the modern Olympics were organized in 1894, the International Olympic Committee was founded on the idea that the Olympic athlete would embody a personal kind of sacred temple.
Fast forward to Tokyo 2021, following the COVID-19 pandemic, where we have seen history in the making as we witness the touch of divinity in all athletes by their execution of talent, hard work, passion, dedication, and faith—faith in oneself as well as faith in a higher power despite great odds.
In Tokyo, prayer rooms are available in the athlete’s village. And although some venues may not have a designated space, there is a dearth of prayer spaces in hotels and public areas across the Japanese capital.
Historically, volunteer teams from U.S. churches have also journeyed to the Olympics and played active roles in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
This year, Muslim athletes will have access to a mobile mosque, which includes Arabic signage and outdoor water taps for pre-worship cleaning, Reuters reports.
Here is a sampling of Olympic athletes on Team USA who are openly relying on their faith in a higher power to compete and win on the world stage:
Simone Biles is a star on the gymnastics team and often talks about the role faith has played in her life. Biles is Christian and believes that it is important for kids today to talk about faith, and has said “I think it’s OK for me to share my faith so kids can see how it helps you through the whole process.” The life of an olympic athlete can be difficult as it is filled with so many wins and losses. Biles demonstrates how faith can help people no matter the circumstances. She has said, “I think God gives every individual something special and mine was talent. So to never take it for granted, which my dad always told me, don’t waste God’s gift that He gave you. Because it’s like it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Katie Ledecky is another amazing athlete who values her faith. Ledecky swims for Team USA and has often talked about her beliefs. She has said, “My Catholic faith is very important to me. It always has been and it always will be. It is part of who I am and I feel comfortable practicing my faith.” Her beliefs have played a large part in her life and development as a swimmer and an athlete as well. Ledecky explains, “I do say a prayer—or two—before any race. The Hail Mary is a beautiful prayer and I find that it calms me,” which is so helpful when the stakes are high.
Mykayla Skinner is a gymnast on Team USA and is also a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints. Skinner deeply values faith as it comforts her and helps her stay optimistic. She said, “I just stay true to my faith and believe whatever happens happens. I try to keep a positive mind every day.” Looking ahead and moving forward are essential and her faith allows her to do this with confidence. “Having God close by has really helped me to keep going and get answers,” she explained. “The challenges in life can get so hard at times. But I feel like you can’t give up until the very end. You have to keep pushing for those goals and dreams.” Faith helps Skinner persevere and achieve her dreams.
Simone Manuel is a swimmer and a Christian. She recently qualified in the Olympic trials to compete with Team USA in Tokyo where she said, “I just had to take a moment to praise God,” after her win. In an interview, she talked about the trials she has faced because “this year has been difficult, especially the last couple months, but before I dove in I felt like it was my moment and I’m so thankful for the blessings that God has given me.” Manuel explained that “it really was [her] faith,” that pushed her forward. “It really drove me to keep going. I kept getting signs from God to keep going and keep pressing forward,” she said, “I’m a person that doesn’t quit. My family has instilled that fire in me, so I knew that even though the task wasn’t easy, I had to finish it.” Manuel understands that her faith gives direction and peace as her path can be difficult. “My faith is extremely important to me and God has a purpose and plan for my life,” she said, “Even though it may not always be easy, I know that the work I put in and the blessings that He provides for me, one day, it will pay off and I’ll see. But all glory goes to Him. I mean, this is amazing. I’m so happy to be on my second Olympic team.”
Dalilah Muhammad is a Muslim track and field athlete and takes pride in breaking stereotypes. “A lot of people said it to me: ‘you’re not the stereotypical Muslim’, but there are a lot of people who are Muslim and we express our religion in different ways,” says Muhammad, “I’m proud to be part of the Muslim community, so it’s definitely amazing. Muslims out there representing the United States.” Her faith is important to her and it shows in the way she represents her community and her faith. She said, “as I’ve gotten older, I have begun to embrace my religion. There’s a stereotype associated with being a Muslim and I don’t fit that stereotype. I started wanting people to see that a Muslim doesn’t look like what the media portrays us to be and that we all look very different. I love I can represent that difference and change the idea of what a Muslim should look like.” Muhammad carves her own path as a Muslim woman and a world-class athlete.
Caeleb Dressel is a U.S. swimmer who is easily recognized by the large eagle tattoo covering the top of his left shoulder. The body art 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. Dressel has been open about his Christian faith, which he says is the driving force for him to continuously push forward. “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,” Dressel said after the 2015 U.S. Nationals, via the Baptist Standard.
Eli Dershwitz is a fencer from the U.S.A. and he considers himself a “proud member of the Jewish community.” He has said that “the Jewish community has been very supportive throughout my journey to the Olympics, and I look forward to representing them on the world stage.” He feels strongly about his culture and community as well as his faith which encourage him.
Vashti Cunningham has become a world-class jumper, winning national championships and an indoor world title. She’s coached by her father, former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, who is also a senior pastor for Remnant Ministries in Las Vegas. During a recent interview, Vashti spoke about her faith and the important role her father plays as coach, mentor, and pastor. “My dad and me have a relationship that is different than any relationship I have with anyone in my life,” she said. “He stays the same person throughout all of it … coach, dad, pastor. He’s going to talk about the same things. He’s going to talk about God to me in practice and track to me when I come to see him at his office at church and both when I’m at home so I don’t expect anything different from him and he doesn’t confuse me. And that relationship just means a lot to me and has especially influenced me going to the Olympics and just pushed me with love.”
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