Katie Ledecky and Allyson Felix are two of the popular names that have been soaring across the scene at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ledecky's speed in the water and Felix's pace on land show just what athletes are physically capable of, however, the two women competitors did not win these games on physiology alone.
They relied on their Catholic faith.
Ledecky shocked the world when she won a gold medal and set a new world record in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2012 London Olympics - all at the young age at 15, being the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic swim team. Four years later, at the age of 19, she hold multiple world records, and even blew her own 2012 400-meter freestyle world record out of the water. She, also, competed in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay and the 200 and 800-meter freestyles.
With all of these successes, medals, and world-breaking records, she always kept God at the forefront of her mind.
“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," Ledecky told the Catholic Standard.
She says a prayer or two before each race she competes in.
"The Hail Mary is a beautiful prayer and I find that it calms me,” she said.
According to Catholic online, Ledecky paid a visit to the convent of the sisters from her elementary school after winning her first Olympic gold 4 years ago. She wanted to thank the sisters for their support over the years, and give them a chance to celebrate with her.
Ledecky is not the only star female athlete holding her faith close to her heart while competing in the Summer Olympics.
U.S. track and field star, Allyson Felix has a strong core in her faith which motivates her to keep running and persevering, no matter how challenging the circumstances may be. She uses her platform as a runner to share her faith with the rest of the world.
“My running is an amazing gift from God and I want to use it to the best of my ability to glorify Him," said Felix to Religion News Service. "You have to have this passion and you have to have a reason for doing what you’re doing. And there really has to be a purpose there, I think that’s what drives success. I know my talent is from God. And that’s my purpose: to run to glorify Him.”
As a child, Felix's father was a seminary professor, thus, her family was extremely involved in their home church. She became a Christian when she was very young, however, this aspect didn't motivate her running career until she tried out for the track team her freshman year at Los Angeles Baptist High School.
Although having a strong faith life does not guarantee ultimate success and that training will be easier, Felix believes that this only motivates her to work harder. Due to an ankle ligament injury, Felix missed out on qualifying for her favorite, 200-meter event.
"I think a lot of times you want faith to kind of be the answer to everything, and it’s still a struggle to get there, you know?” she told the Los Angeles Times.
“There are very real moments that are hard, but I think that it helps me to be able to learn the lesson that there is a purpose, a reason why maybe that happened, and it can create something in you and it might be preparing you for something better in the future.”
Ledecky and Felix are not the only Olympic athletes who hold their faith in God close to their hearts while competing. 2008 Silver Medalist gymnast Shawn Johnson, 2012 and 2016 Gold Medalist swimmer Missy Franklin, and 2016 Gold Medalist gymnasts Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez are among other women who let their Catholic religion be a strong, motivational backbone in their professional athleticism.
God is always there for me," said Franklin, 21, to The Hollowverse. "I talk with Him before, during and after practice and competitions. I pray to Him for guidance. I thank Him for this talent He has given me and promise to be a positive role model for young athletes in all sports.
These Olympic women are merely human, but with their faith in God in the back of their minds, they believe that they are capable of the unremarkable.
