These Olympians Remain Grounded in Their Catholic Faith

August 8, 2016
by Tony Rossi

As a sucker for a good story, I always look forward to the Olympics because they’re full of them. I love watching the joy in athletes’ faces as their tireless efforts pay off in a medal of some sort. Of course, gold is the objective, but there’s no shame in silver or bronze either. The 2016 Summer Games are off to a great start for Team USA, including some favorites who are also people of faith.

For instance, Katie “The Terminator” Ledecky won her first gold medal of this Olympics yesterday in the 400m freestyle. I call her “The Terminator” because she’s so dominant in the pool that she terminates all her opponents.

That was true when she was a complete underdog in the 800m freestyle four years ago in London (which I wrote about here) – and it still holds true today. And in case you missed Kelly Seegers’ interview with Ledecky for The Catholic Standard, you’ll be interested to know that success hasn’t made her lose sight of her faith.

Ledecky’s godfather is a Jesuit priest (Fr. Jim Shea), and she graduated from two Catholic schools – Little Flower School (elementary) and Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (high school). She said, “I received an excellent, faith-filled education at both schools. Having the opportunity to attend academically rigorous schools has facilitated my interest in the world and in serving others, and has enriched my life so that it is not solely focused on my swimming and athletics. Nevertheless, going to these schools was important to my swimming – my Catholic schools challenged me, they broadened my perspective and they allowed me to use my mind in ways that take me beyond just thinking about swim practices, swim meets and sports.”

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christophers/2016/08/these-olympians-remain-grounded-in-their-catholic-faith/