On Sunday, 100 years after a Scottish runner famously refused to compete at the Paris Olympics because of his Christian faith, top religious athletes say performing at the top level still poses some obstacles to practicing the faith that is central to their lives on and off the field.
This summer Paris OlympicsMuch of the debate revolves around Islam. France’s unique secularist principles The Olympic Committee bans its own athletes from wearing headscarves or other visible religious symbols, but the ban does not apply to Olympians from other countries.
But athletes of different faiths say sporting organisations and major events should respect the diversity of religious practices, especially as they strive to become more inclusive. For many, faith and spirituality are also essential to mental health, which has received particular attention since 2010. Simone Biles, American gymnastics star ‘ Open Struggles at the last Olympics.
“Most people would think of sport and religion as separate things, but I see a big overlap. Everything we have is a gift from God. It’s God who has given me this strength,” said Beatty Deutsch, an Orthodox Jewish runner who qualified to represent Israel at the Tokyo Olympics but did not compete because the women’s marathon was scheduled on a Saturday to observe the Sabbath.
“I wish the sport’s governing bodies would be more considerate of religion,” said the 34-year-old Israeli-American mother of five. After an injury prevented her from qualifying for Paris, Deutsch recently resumed training with an eye on next year’s world championships and the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Her refusal to race on the day she was dedicated to the Lord mirrors the 1924 story of Eric Liddell, The Oscar-winning film “Chariots of Fire.” Liddell refused to run Sunday’s heat in the 100 metres, his biggest challenge, but then incredibly won gold in the 400 metres.
American Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone He broke his own world record Liddell, who competed in the 400m hurdles at the Olympic Trials on Sunday, describes in his new book, “Far Beyond Gold,” how Liddell’s words about running to glorify God resonated with him.
She said embracing her Christian faith helped her overcome doubts and fears and transformed her life and career.
“For a long time, my identity was athletics,” she told The Associated Press. U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials“But above all else, I realized I am a child of God, and that has given me the freedom to run the race He has ordained for me to run.”
McLaughlin-Levrone, 24, shared prayers and lessons from her faith journey on Instagram, where she has more than 1 million followers, saying she prays with her coach, trainer and husband before every race.
When her heart is rooted in God, she is able to handle the pressure and high expectations of being an Olympian. “Especially in athletics, things are so uncertain and always changing.”
“That means being in the Word, being in prayer, making that our number one priority, having that at the center of our hearts, not some outside voice in the world,” McLaughlin-Levrone said.
Laura Upenieks, a sociology professor at Baylor University who has studied top US college athletes, said athletes who have a strong attachment to God are less likely to be depressed, anxious or lonely than those with a negative perception of a punitive God or those who are not religious.
That’s mainly because they don’t base their self-worth on the approval of others, are less self-centered, and are able to see a bigger meaning beyond “being as good as my last race,” Upenieks added.
“Faith gives me the strength to stand strong and keep going, and reminds me that there are always bigger and higher goals to pursue,” said Marwa Bouzayani, 27, a Tunisian steeplechaser training for the Paris Olympics.
The devout Muslim is competing for the first time at the Tokyo Olympics, competing in the 3,000m hurdles dressed modestly, including a hijab or head covering, and she trains regularly during Ramadan, when Muslims abstain from food and water from dawn to dusk – a challenge that made headlines in France this year. The Football Federation refused accommodation. For careful players.
“I have faced many challenges, including balancing my religious obligations with the demands of my training and confronting stereotypes and prejudices, but every difficulty I have faced has strengthened my resolve,” Bouzayani said.
In fact, she wants to be a role model for young Muslim girls and show them that “it is possible to succeed in top sport without abandoning your religious values and beliefs,” and to raise awareness about the importance of respecting cultural and religious diversity in the sporting world.
Deutsch admires Bouzayani and McLaughlin-Levrone for their commitment and openness about their faith, and she hopes to be role models for young Orthodox Jewish girls who may never see top athletes competing in the way they do: head coverings, long sleeves and knee-length skirts.
In a race where every second counts, such modest attire can be “a distraction”, but the inspiration it provides to others is far more important, Deutsch said.
“I hope my story will inspire athletes,” she said.
Tamir Goodman said that over the past few decades, players, coaches and fans have become much more accepting of the need to look after athletes’ health by incorporating mental and spiritual care into physical training. Known as the “Jewish Michael Jordan” in the late 1990s, he was the only devout Jew to play Division I college basketball in the United States. Never on the Sabbath.
Carl Lewis, the U.S. track and field legend who won nine Olympic gold medals and now coaches young athletes, told The Associated Press that he doesn’t consider himself religious but is a follower of the late Indian teacher, Sri Chinmoy, who believed spiritual life and running go hand in hand.
“Younger athletes are now looking to spirituality for guidance and hope, and I think that’s great for them,” he said.
Shortly after qualifying for her third Olympic Games in Paris, U.S. high jumper Vashti Cunningham — whose father and coach is longtime NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham — told The Associated Press how her faith helps her through tough competitions like the Oregon qualifiers.
“I think without your spirituality you can be really lost,” says Cunningham, 26. “Especially in such a high-level sport where so many people rely on themselves and their own strength and their own training. I really just rely on God and his strength and power.”
___
Associated Press religion writer Mariam Pham, sports writer Pat Graham and national reporter Eddie Pels contributed to this report.
___
Associated Press religion coverage is supported by The Associated Press collaboration It is funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. in collaboration with The Conversation US. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
