10 Christian Team USA Athletes at Rio Olympics 2016 Who Put God First
Team USA athletes have fans rooting for them an ocean away while they participate in the Olympic games taking place in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
A number of those athletes are making sure to stay rooted in God. The Christian Post has rounded up 10 Olympic athletes who are placing more importance on their relationship with God than the coveted Olympic medals they are seeking.
1. David Boudia, 27, Team USA Diver
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At the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, China, David Boudia was interested in little more than glorifying himself.
However, all of that changed in 2010, when he made the conscious decision to honor Jesus Christ with his life. He credited the foundation of his newfound faith when winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
"In 2008, diving was my god. It was a forced competition," he said in a 2012 Beliefnet report. "(Now) It's more about what I'm doing to share my purpose but not forcing it on people. God is providing this platform so He can reveal Himself."
2. Simone Biles,19, Team USA Gymnastics
Even though she is a newcomer to the Olympic games, Simone Biles is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. Before being adopted by her maternal grandparents at the age of six, she was placed in foster care because of her mother's battle with addiction.
Years later, Simone worked to rebuild her relationship with her birth mother Shanon Biles who recognizes that God blessed her daughter.
"We've been through what we've been through, and life goes on," Shanon told The Undefeated.
Now, the first female gymnast to win three straight world titles, has her own relationship with God and leans on her Catholic faith before big events.
"Before a big event, I usually go to church and light a candle for St Sebastian, who is the patron saint of athletes," she revealed.
3. Allyson Felix, 30, Team USA Track & Field
Allyson Felix is an Olympic gold medalist who accepted Jesus in her life at a young age, but she wants to make it clear that she is still a work in progress. Still, Felix is maintaining her focus on progressing in her walk with God.
"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," the 200m Gold medalist from the 2012 London Olympics said in a Beyond Ultimate report. "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."
When she is not on the track, Felix hopes to exemplify a Christ-like character for people.
"I'm currently a work in progress and like anyone else I face struggles every day. My goal is to be more Christ-like each and every day and that is not an easy task," she said. "I know that I'm trying to be something different from [other Olympic runners] and after I run I hope that people can distinguish [Christ-like] character in the way I present myself."
4. Kevin Durant, 27, Team USA Basketball
While Kevin Durant has the fame that comes with NBA superstardom, his foundation in Jesus Christ has been developing over the last few years.
In 2013, Kevin Durant was baptized at Hillsong New York City by Pastor Carl Lentz, which he said changed his life.
"When I came out of the water, I just felt different. Basketball is so important to me and I carry that emotion with me all of the time and before that I would be so mad at the smallest things," Durant revealed during a Hillsong Church service. "My coaches, my teammates, my fans. After that, I was just so positive. Showing God [and] his grace.."
Under the guidance of Lentz, Durant learned how to have more of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
"I felt like I had to follow the Ten Commandments. But we don't live by that no more," he previously told GQ. "We live by the blood of Jesus. That's how I feel."
5. Bubba Watson, 37, Team USA Golf
Bubba Watson makes his faith clear in his Twitter bio which states "Christian. Husband. Daddy. Pro Golfer."
For Watson, golf takes a backseat to his Christian faith, which helped him curb an issue he had with his temper. Since getting baptized in 2004, he told the Billy Graham website that he is "getting more in the Word and realizing that golf is just an avenue for Jesus to use me to reach as many people as I can."
The professional golfer is not looking to be famous, but to be an example of God for others.
"Lecrae said it the best. He doesn't want to be a celebrity," Watson said, citing Christian rapper Lecrae. "He doesn't want to be a superstar. He just wants to be the middle man for you to see God through him."
