Whether sending out Bible verses or giving God props for a medal, many U.S. Olympians are taking to Twitter to show their faith.
Tweeting God at the Olympics —
Whether sending out Bible verses or giving God props for a medal, many U.S. Olympians are taking to Twitter to show their faith.
The gymnast helped the "Fab Five" U.S. women's gymnastics team take home its first gold medal in a team final since 1996. Hours before the victory, she quoted the Bible verse Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Later, just before becoming the first African-American woman to win an all-around gymnastics title, she invoked God again: "Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me."
Gabrielle Douglas —
The gymnast helped the "Fab Five" U.S. women's gymnastics team take home its first gold medal in a team final since 1996. Hours before the victory, she quoted the Bible verse Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Later, just before becoming the first African-American woman to win an all-around gymnastics title, she invoked God again: "Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me."
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Marathon runner Ryan Hall says God is his coach, taking a day off each week to observe the sabbath. In a recent tweet, the Olympic marathon runner announced that he was packing for the 2012 Olympics by taking water bottles with his signature to throw to kids. Also included on the bottles: Bible verses. Watching the opening of the Olympic Games, Hall tweeted: "The Olympics are a taste of heaven. All people, united, celebrating how amazing we have been created and thus honoring the creator."
Ryan Hall —
Marathon runner Ryan Hall says God is his coach, taking a day off each week to observe the sabbath. In a recent tweet, the Olympic marathon runner announced that he was packing for the 2012 Olympics by taking water bottles with his signature to throw to kids. Also included on the bottles: Bible verses. Watching the opening of the Olympic Games, Hall tweeted: "The Olympics are a taste of heaven. All people, united, celebrating how amazing we have been created and thus honoring the creator."
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U.S. women's soccer midfielder Lauren Cheney thanked God for her talents shortly before the Olympics began, tweeting: "We weren't given these talents to be mediocre. Our God is great- He deserves greatness."
Lauren Cheney —
U.S. women's soccer midfielder Lauren Cheney thanked God for her talents shortly before the Olympics began, tweeting: "We weren't given these talents to be mediocre. Our God is great- He deserves greatness."
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The swimmer's Olympic journey has been a roller-coaster ride. He beat the most decorated Olympian, Michael Phelps, in the 400-meter individual but a day later was blamed for keeping the U.S. men's swimming team from the gold on the final leg of the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. That provoked this tweet: "The greatest athletes suffer the hardest defeats before the biggest and best moments of your life... God has a plain for everyone." He tweeted later to correct his spelling error.
Ryan Lochte —
The swimmer's Olympic journey has been a roller-coaster ride. He beat the most decorated Olympian, Michael Phelps, in the 400-meter individual but a day later was blamed for keeping the U.S. men's swimming team from the gold on the final leg of the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. That provoked this tweet: "The greatest athletes suffer the hardest defeats before the biggest and best moments of your life... God has a plain for everyone." He tweeted later to correct his spelling error.
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The gymnast cited a popular Bible verse on the day he competed in the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trial, tweeting:. "First day of competition at the #2012 Olympics, I'm nervous but excited. Philippians 4:13." In the King James Version of the Bible, that verse reads "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."
Jonathan Horton —
The gymnast cited a popular Bible verse on the day he competed in the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trial, tweeting:. "First day of competition at the #2012 Olympics, I'm nervous but excited. Philippians 4:13." In the King James Version of the Bible, that verse reads "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."
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The hurdler has openly discussed her faith -- including how it factors into her decision to remain a virgin until she marries. Days before the opening ceremony of the Olympics, she referenced Psalm 23:1 in a tweet: "I never have prayed to win a gold medal at Olympics and never will. The Lord is my Shepard and I shall not want. May His will be done."
Lolo Jones —
The hurdler has openly discussed her faith -- including how it factors into her decision to remain a virgin until she marries. Days before the opening ceremony of the Olympics, she referenced Psalm 23:1 in a tweet: "I never have prayed to win a gold medal at Olympics and never will. The Lord is my Shepard and I shall not want. May His will be done."
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After winning her first Olympic gold medal and breaking an American record in the 100-meter backstroke, the swimmer tweeted that "God has blessed me with so much."
Missy Franklin —
After winning her first Olympic gold medal and breaking an American record in the 100-meter backstroke, the swimmer tweeted that "God has blessed me with so much."
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After being selected to represent Team USA in the Olympics, the Oklahoma City Thunders forward tweeted that he was "Headed to Manchester with my USA bball teammates!! So blessed I get this opportunity!!"
Kevin Durant —
After being selected to represent Team USA in the Olympics, the Oklahoma City Thunders forward tweeted that he was "Headed to Manchester with my USA bball teammates!! So blessed I get this opportunity!!"
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The sprinter got the last spot on U.S. Olympic team, tying for third place with teammate Jeneba Tarmoh in the100-meter race at the Olympic trials. She shared a photo of herself on Instagram and Twitter, thanking God in the caption: "It's official...I'm going to London!! All glory to God! I'm so thankful for the love, support & encouragement."
Allyson Felix —
The sprinter got the last spot on U.S. Olympic team, tying for third place with teammate Jeneba Tarmoh in the100-meter race at the Olympic trials. She shared a photo of herself on Instagram and Twitter, thanking God in the caption: "It's official...I'm going to London!! All glory to God! I'm so thankful for the love, support & encouragement."
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The two-time volleyball Olympic gold medalist invoked God on Twitter even before she got to the Olympics, tweeting "God Bless and thank you to all the men and women who serve or have served our country," on Memorial Day.
Misty May-Treanor —
The two-time volleyball Olympic gold medalist invoked God on Twitter even before she got to the Olympics, tweeting "God Bless and thank you to all the men and women who serve or have served our country," on Memorial Day.
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