What I Learned From the Paris Olympics
Last week I sent our Faith International University students a discipleship email on the importance of curiosity in our lives. Jesus called it the mentality of “asking, seeking, and knocking” (Matthew 7:7) in order to gain wisdom.
When we stop learning, we stop living. When we cease to grow, we really begin to die.
Here’s what I learned recently from watching the Paris Olympics.
What I Learned From the Paris Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympics was the 33rd modern Olympiad and the third time it was held in the “City of Light” (after 1900 and 1924). 10,500 athletes participated in 329 medal events representing 206 nations.
My attraction to the Games stems from a strong love of sports as a young person and participation in evangelistic outreaches in four prior Olympics. Shirley and I watched the highlights of the Paris Olympics most nights with cheers, tears, anguish, joy,, and much thought.
Here are a dozen observations of the Paris Olympics (I’d love to hear yours).
1. Paris did a good overall job of hosting the Games. There were early transportation glitches and cardboard beds for the some athletes, but the French nation generally rose to host an immense global spectacle with one million plus people praying for them which stifled any planned terrorism.
2. The Olympics Outreach hopefully touched thousands of lives for Jesus and now teams have disbursed all over Europe and the world doing evangelism. (I will share the full report of the outreach later.)
3. Sports competition is inspiring because of the dedication, sacrifice, and discipline required to become one of the best athletes in the world. We cheered their character along with their achievements.
4. Patriotism or love of nation is a good thing. We should love (want the best) for all dimensions of life including family, friends, work, city, nation, and all peoples. In a fallen world, nations are God’s idea. I teared up a number of times watching the U.S. athletes receive their medals while listening to the Star Spangled Banner. Love never gets old.
5. It was great to celebrate with athletes from other countries. At a Chinese restaurant on Monday I praised the Chinese divers to the Asian woman at the cash register. Her face lit up. An older woman standing within earshot mumbled to me, “I don’t care about the Chinese divers” (narrow view). I replied while pointing to our Chinese hostess, “But she does, and we should rejoice with her.”
6. The opening ceremony contained some atheistic (woke) propaganda (anti-God behavior). We are in a global battle of worldviews–especially between between biblical faith and secularism/atheism.
7. The closing ceremony showcased a rock concert party that flew (creatively) to Los Angels via video (more partying there). Atheists like to party (sometimes grossly). Lovers of God worship and live in wonder.
8. Russia’s absence reminded us that evil rulers who unjustly invade other nations (Ukraine) bring consequences to their own country and athletes. Only 15 Russian athletes participated as “Individual Neutral Athletes.” Shame.
9. The USA and China tied in the gold medal race with 40 each. That’s symbolic of the world’s two current superpowers who are battling for world superiority. The governmental worldview of China is atheism/communism. The historical America worldview is biblical faith. Which one will win the hearts of the earth’s peoples in the 21st century?
10. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a woke (atheist) organization. It allowed two biological males–Algerian and Taiwanese–to win gold models by punching women. One defeated athlete said, “Thank God day I got out of the ring safely.” The IOC also fed athletes 60% vegan meals and provided no air conditioning (global warming). Stupid.
11. During the first week, I wondered if the IOC had warned the athletes to not share their faith. Many athletes praised themselves and their own training for achieving medals. It seemed like faith was being boycotted.
12. Then–the best part of the Paris Olympics–many godly athletes began to share their faith. Wow. Talk about tears. Here are some favorites:
Women’s Soccer – Korbin Albert, 20, posted on her Instagram account that “Jesus is [king],” using the crown emoji. As opposed to some former U.S. women soccer players, she excitedly shared her love of God and nation with one caption reading:“Dreamin’ in red, white, and blue.”
Men’s Basketball – Steph Curry made four 3-pointers in the final 2:43 of the gold medal game leading the U.S. men’s team to victory a 98-87 victory. He’s the GOAT of NBA shooters. Afterwards he spoke to billions watching on television: “For me to get a gold medal is insane, and I thank God for the opportunity to experience it.” (I have written previously about his faith and the mother who prayed for him and refused to abort her child a generation ago.)
Women’s Hurdles – Sydney McLaughlin Levrone took her faith onto the field in dramatic form. The 25-year old American runner set a new world record in the women’s 400 meter hurdles in 50.37 seconds–defending her gold medal in Tokyo–and defeating others by over 1.5 seconds.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone takes in a well-deserved Star Spangled Banner after winning gold in the women's 400m hurdles. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/oAjdeTc9Ni
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
Rowing – Emily Froehlich sensed the Lord calling her to lay down athletics and become a missionary (like Eric Liddell). She turned down a spot on the U.S. national team to do so. While serving the Lord in the Middle East she had a vision. “In the vision He showed how there’s no other event where the nations come like the Olympics.” She knew from the vision that “He wants to be glorified at this event…He’s looking for people to go to the Olympics and represent Jesus instead of their country.” When she saw Christian athletes proclaim their faith, she said, “It’s like seeing the vision–what God really wanted–coming to fruition.”
Women’s Shot Put – Yemisi Ogunleye of Germany slipped and fell on the wet ground during her first shot put throw. She went to her seat and sang a beautiful praise song to encourage her spirit. Ogunleye’s second attempt was a good one. Then she dueled with New Zealand’s Maddison-Lee Wesche. Both women threw personal bests, but Ogunleye heaved the shot put further at 20.oom–which was her goal. After the winning throw, she dropped to her knees in prayer when she saw she had won the gold medal. In the press conference following, she again sang the worship song (which had inspired her on the track) for all the world to hear.
Honorable Mention – In 2020, as a WNBA player, Brittany Griner advocated for the league to do away with playing The Star Spangled Banner after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Prior to one game, she left the court during the playing of the anthem. In 2022, she was jailed in Russia for possession of hash oil. After ten months in a Russian prison, she was released in a prisoner swap.
As the national anthem played after Griner and the USA women’s basketball team won gold, Griner wept, then had to regain her composure. Our freedoms as Americans are an echo of freedom in Jesus. Brittany Griner may now appreciate her nation once again. Let’s pray she becomes a strong witness for Jesus by loving the Savior as well.
That’s what I learned from the Paris Olympic Games.
How about you?
Cole Hocker who shocked the world with his 1500 meter gold medal win… gave the credit to the Lord for his last minute winning burst that left two world record holders behind “I let God carry me across the finish line” A teacher (who is deeply involved with us at interlinc) from the Catholic School he graduated from (Cathedral High School Indianapolis IN) wrote a blog post https://interlincmedia.com/blog/blog-cole-hockers-gold-medal-reflections-from-a-teacher-at-his-school/
Yeah, there were so many testimonies to choose from. Thanks for sharing Cole Hocker’s story. We loved that race and were practically standing up cheering! Thanks for your faithfulness to be a source of input into his life. May God use him mightily in coming years.