Olympics and St. Sebastian

Wow, what a week it has been with the Americans and the Olympics. In addition to all the victories, there have been such wonderful stories about determination, grit, overcoming obstacles…all the stuff of a great Olympics.

Interwoven among all these stories have been many stories about faith. Whether it is the coverage of American fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad being the first American athlete to wear the hijab, the ecumenical prayer service at the statue of Christ the Redeemer, or the presence of "an 'interreligious center' in full operation at the Olympic and Paralympic Village that will offer up spiritual and religious support for athletes of every faith and religion" – religion and faith seem to have a presence at the games.

Of course, we in Washington are most proud of Katie Ledecky whose deep Catholic faith is well known, as well as her affinity for her Catholic elementary school (Little Flower) and Sacred Heart education at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. Simone Biles, perhaps the greatest female gymnast to ever walk the earth, shares with Ledecky a strong commitment to her Catholic faith.

Is it coincidence that the greatest gymnast in history and the greatest female swimmer in the world also share a commitment to their Catholic faith? I will not go so far as some and suggest that Catholicism specifically or religion in general gives one an athletic edge. However, as young people continue to look to these athletes as role models, it is encouraging that so many of them - even the best in the world such as Biles and Ledecky - proudly incorporate into that role an unabashed celebration of their Catholic faith. Whether it is Ledecky's Hail Mary before every race, or Biles' prayer to St. Sebastian (patron saint of athletes), these athletes offer a counter narrative to the domestic violence, doping, and corruption scandals that so often plague sport.