US Olympians Proclaim Their Faith to NBC Audience

Olympic divers David Boudia and Steele Johnson have always been open about their Christian faith.

At the Olympic games in Rio De Janiero Monday, the pair had a special opportunity to share their faith after competing in the 10-meter synchronized dive event at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center.

Standing on the platform, prior to their dive, the two men qouted Philipians 4:6. They then bumped fists and executed a dive which earned a silver medal for the U.S. team.

“This has been a phenomenal journey for both of us and I don’t think I would have been able to go through something like this without such a friend and a brother like Steele,” Boudia said.

Johnson said of Boudia, “I’ve learned so much from this guy about diving, about life, about faith, about being a man that I wouldn’t be where I am today without this guy teaching me along the way.”

Boudia admitted that when he focuses on diving, he begins to define himself by that, which tends to make his mind crazy.

“But we both know that our identity is in Christ,” Boudia told NBC.

Johnson shared a similar sentiment.

“The fact that I was going into this event knowing that my identity is rooted in Christ and not what the result of this competition is just gave me peace … and it let me enjoy the contest,” Johnson said.

A terrible accident in 2009 threatened to kill Johnson’s dream of competing in the Olympics.

While practicing, he fell on the concrete platform, fracturing his skull before tumbling into the pool 33 feet below.

The accident left him with stitches and some memory loss.

Johnson credits his faith for his recovery as well as his diving ability.

“He gave me this ability to dive,” he said. “God kept me alive and he is still giving me the ability to do what I do.”

When asked about his diving ability, Boudia had a similar philosophy.

“We can’t take credit for this. To God be the glory,” Boudia said.

Johnson said he did not want the fact that he is an Olympic medal winner to identify his life, adding that while he is an Olympian, he is also called to love and serve Christ.

“My identity is rooted in Christ, not in the flips we’re doing,” he said. (For more from the author of “US Olympians Proclaim Their Faith to NBC Audience” please click HERE)

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