He leaned on God.
Several Olympic medalists have publicly expressed their gratitude to God as the Summer Games unfold in Paris this week.
On Monday, the U.S. men’s gymnastics team secured a bronze medal, ending a 16-year dry spell. One standout athlete, 24-year-old Brody Malone, delivered impressive performances in every event, despite experiencing some dramatic falls during the opening night. Malone, from Georgia, has been vocal about his Christian faith, which he credits for helping him overcome significant challenges.
In March 2023, Malone suffered a severe knee injury at the DTB Cup in Germany, where he fell off the high bar while attempting a dismount. The injury resulted in torn ligaments and a fractured tibia. Over the past year, he had to relearn how to walk following the injury.
In an interview with Cheryl Preheim of 11Alive, Malone spoke about how his faith in God has been a source of strength throughout his athletic career. “What keeps me going through all of this is my faith in God. Relying on Him during tough times is everything,” Malone explained. He also expressed gratitude for the support from his family and teammates, emphasizing the sense of brotherhood that has been instrumental in his recovery.
Malone acknowledged that his return to competitive gymnastics, culminating in an Olympic bronze medal, feels particularly special given the severe injury he faced. “It’s incredible, especially considering the challenges of the past year. A little over a year ago, I was relearning how to walk, and now I’m here with a bronze medal,” he said.
As a Stanford University graduate, Malone advised aspiring Olympians to work diligently, stating, “My message to them is that hard work pays off. It’s been my dream to win an Olympic medal as part of a team, and we set that goal and achieved it.”
Meanwhile, British swimmer Adam Peaty reflected on his faith after winning a silver medal in the men’s 100-meter butterfly on Sunday. Although he narrowly missed a third gold medal, Peaty expressed deep emotional relief and joy. “I gave my all, and in my heart, I’ve won,” Peaty told BBC Sport, noting that his tears were from the immense effort required to reach this point. He credited his religious faith for sustaining him through difficult times, including a period of depression and alcoholism following the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Peaty, who set a world record for the 100-meter breaststroke in 2019, shared that his faith journey began with a transformative encounter with pastor Ashley Mull in Melbourne. This led him to regularly attend church in Nottingham. Reflecting on his faith, Peaty described a poignant moment during his first church service, where he felt the message was meant for him.
With a cross tattooed on his chest, Peaty shared a message of hope, saying, “Everything I’ve done has a purpose. I gave my absolute best, and that’s the real victory for me,” according to Premier.