The charge of hypocrisy and religiosity is usually hurled at athletes when they use God-talk on national television. Tim Tebow and others have suffered at the hands of the privatized religiosos for wearing his Jesus-ness on his body and actions. I assume that some of these players live double-lives. I am aware that the Olympian’s world is full of muscular displays of “mighty talk.” But I will take the bold declarations–over against the silence of many– of such men as beautiful expressions of a loyalty to a living Christ that the world needs to know and hear, even if their imperfections are known. I urge more athletes to wear their Christian identities in everything they do; to speak God-talk continually, boldly; in short, to utilize such occasions to give thanks to God, the Father and giver of life.
“It’s just an identity crisis. When my mind is on this [diving], and I’m thinking I’m defined by this, then my mind goes crazy. But we both know that our identity is in Christ…” -Boudia
Boudia and Johnson proclaim Christ on national TV after winning Olympic silver
