Olympic Athletes from Russia for 2018 Winter Olympics
Due the doping ban on Russian Federation, the 169 clean Russian athletes marched as neutrals in red and grey uniforms as neutrals. Any gold medal winning "Olympic Athletes of Russia" will be feted with the raising of the Olympic flag and anthem. While the 2,952 athletes participating in the Pyeongchang games are the best winter sport athletes in the world, but only a few make it up to the medal stand to receive their glory. For most, marching in the Winter Olympics opening ceremony is the highlight of their careers.
This makes Eric Liddell's admonition about glory all the more poignant. What is particularly noteworthy of Eric Liddell is not that he was the the Flying Scotsman was the first British Gold Medal winner in track from 1924, or that he was the basis of the film Chariots of Fire (1981), or his steadfast Sabbath keeping, but for dying as a missionary in a Japanese internment camp in China in 1945. We should all be inspired to run a good race in life and doing our best.
After winning a gold medal as the overall Best Women’s Gymnast in the 2012 London Summer Olympics, sixteen year old American Gabrielle Douglas had shown herself to have her feet on the ground yet she looked up to the heavens in thanks.
Douglas’ recognition of divine favor did not seem gratuitous or isolated. Even before heading to London, Gabby gave a spirit filled interview with KTIS, where the young gymnist revealed how twice daily scriptural readings and meditation were part of her training routine.
Throughout the competition, Douglas had shared her strong faith through Twitter. On July 28th, Douglas tweeted “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged; for the Lord will be with you wherever you go!”. On July 30th, she shared “I believe in God. He is the secret of my success. He gives people talent.” Another tweet on July 31st noted: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” On the day that she wonder her individual gold, Douglas wrote via Twitter: “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
Sadly, there are those on the left who find Douglas’ outspoken evangelical faith unnerving, like Salon writer Mary Elizabeth Williams, who frets that Gabby’s prominence will give her a new platform to preach.
Others critics have snarked about Douglas’ hair as being unkept instead of basking in the glory that Gabrielle is the first American woman to win both an individual and a team gold in gymnastics. It makes me wonder if this is transferred aggression from less religious gymnastics “fans”.
After the Olympics, Gabrielle Douglas may return to her home in Virginia Beach, Virginia which coincidentally happens to be the headquarters of the Christian Broadcasting Network.
What is particularly noteworthy of Eric Liddell is not that he was the the Flying Scotsman was the first British Gold Medal winner in track from 1924, or that he was the basis of the film Chariots of Fire (1981), or his steadfast Sabbath keeping, but for dying as a missionary in a Japanese internment camp in China in 1945. 
