Team USA Athletes: 10 Christian Olympic Medal Winners Glorifying God
Cheney, a Christian athlete who featured the Bible verse 2 Chronicles 16:9 on her Twitter biography, has been vocal about maintaining her faith whether her Olympic performance resulted in a gold medal or not.
"Our lives are completely full of highs and lows. I'm so grateful that my confidence in Christ is never shaken," Cheney said in a previous BeliefNet report. "My identity in the Lord will never be shaken. My career will come and go but being faithful to that has made my relationship with Him what it is."
6. Vincent Hancock, 23, shooting, 1 gold
Twitter: @vincent_hancock
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Vincent Hancock is fighting for his country in more than one way as a sergeant in the U.S. Army and as a record-breaking Olympic shooter. The 23-year-old recently earned a gold medal after hitting an Olympic skeet record 148 of 150 targets over a period of two days while hitting a perfect 25 of 25 in the finals.
The sergeant was grateful to represent his country in the Olympic games and credited God for helping his accomplish the feat.
"Having the opportunity to come out here and represent my country, that's what it's really all about," Hancock told the press after earning his medal. "God has given me the greatest opportunity in the world to represent my country on a stage this grand and especially to have this medal hanging around my neck again."
7. Jacob Wukie, Archery, 1 silver
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Jacob Wukie may have received a silver medal for his performance in the men's team event with teammates Brady Ellison and Jake Kaminski in the 2012 Olympic Games, but the 26-year-old archer said his identity is in Jesus Christ.
"You just kind of meet some of the other medalists they have there at the time, and it's neat to meet people who are a little more well known..but also I'm hoping to be able to have maybe more opportunities to kind of speak and share Christ with people," Wukie told Athletes in Action. "While for a long time archery has been a very big part of what I do, my identity is in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
While Wukie is making a name for himself as an archer and Olympian, he insists that the reason he can perform at such a high level is centered in his faith.
"Since I am confident that He is in control and has a plan for my life, I am able to give my best and let the rest lie in His hands," Wukie said. "He has given me the talents and abilities that I possess; He has taught me to love those around me and what it means to push hard."
8. David Boudia, Diving, 1 bronze
Twitter: @davidboudia
David Boudia, 23, is no stranger to the Olympic games after making a stint in the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing. However, Boudia admits that he was depressed during his first appearance at the sports festival four years ago before committing his life to Jesus Christ.
Now, the bronze medal holder has included Psalm 115:1 in his Twitter biography, and said that people have noticed a change in him.
"It's such a radical change. I've known these competitors from around the world, and they've known what I've done and how I acted throughout the years before I met Christ," Boudia said in a Baptist Press report. "The next thing they know, here's David talking about Jesus or saying 'Praise God' or something like that, and they definitely notice."
Before winning his coveted medal, Boudia put all of his trust in God to determine the outcome of his performance.
"Whatever happens at the end of this Olympic Games is completely out of my control," Boudia said. "God is totally sovereign over everything."
9. Sanya Richards-Ross, Track & Field, 1 gold
Twitter: @SanyaRichiRoss
Before listing herself as an Olympian, wife or mother, Sanya Richards-Ross describes herself as a Christian on Twitter. However, the 27-year-old track and field athlete proved that she is much more than that after winning a gold medal for her performance in the 400-meter event at the 2012 Olympic Games.
While Richards-Ross, the wife of NFL defensive back Aaron Ross, is no stranger to competing at a high level after earning two gold relay medals in 2004 and 2008, she credited God for making her recent dreams come true.
"I have dreamt of this moment for a very long time but nothing compares to this feeling! Never give up on your dreams," Ross exclaimed to her fans on Twitter after her big win. "God is good. I wish that I could have this moment for life... # Operation Gold complete!"
10. Marlen Esparza, Boxing, 1 bronze
Twitter: @Marlen112Boxing
Marlen Esparza may be the first woman to ever compete for Team USA in the Olympic Games, but the Christian six-time national champion is glorifying God instead of her accomplishments after scoring a historic medal in London.
"All honor and glory goes to God. That simple. I'm just blessed to be on the ride," Esparza tweeted. "It could have been anyone..#blessed."
While many people around the world witnessed the Christian athlete make history, she has been focusing on sharing her outlook on life by putting God first.
"Love God, love what you do, and love yourself," she tweeted. "You can't go wrong with that."
The 23-year-old Christian has been vocal about her faith throughout training and even shared Scripture with her followers on the social networking website while preparing for her bout.
"Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully... #watch," Esparza tweeted, referencing 2 John 1:8.
