My daughter has the dream of competing in the 2016 Olympics. Barring an unforeseen injury or just the loss of passion for her sport, at worst she will participate at the NCAA Division I level. (At 15 she is already ranked as one of the top College recruits in NY State.)
We have taught her from the beginning that her abilities come from God. We have taught her to encourage others, to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
She always begins the competition by shaking hands with those competing against her. Win or lose, she hugs them afterwards. During the ladies swimming events she received numerous tweets from her rivals saying that she reminds them of Missy Franklin.
If someone belives that their ability comes from God, no matter if they are an Olympic athlete, or a heart surgeon or an auto mechanic, that person will carry out their vocation with grace, joy and humility. And to God goes the glory.
Why atletes who give the glory to God are bashed and thug athletes are idolized I don't know. (Actually, I do know, it is a sign of the times.....)
Beautiful post!