Olympic Star Dedicates Gold To God
Yemisi Ogunleye, a Nigerian-born German athlete, celebrated her gold medal win in the women’s shot put at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by leading a worship service at her church in Karlsruhe, Germany. She attributed her success to divine intervention and shared her achievement with her faith community, inviting them to wear her gold medal and acknowledging the church’s role in her personal and athletic development.
Ogunleye spoke about how her early church attendance, encouraged by her mother, laid the foundation for her faith, which she believes contributed to her athletic success. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed deep gratitude for the support and spiritual grounding she received from her church.
The athlete’s Olympic victory was marked by a dramatic moment when she nearly lost her balance due to rainy conditions but ultimately secured a winning distance of 20 meters, narrowly surpassing New Zealand’s Maddi Wesche. Ogunleye also shared that singing gospel songs, including “I Almost Let Go,” helped her stay focused and draw strength during the competition.
Her performance of the song, which conveys overcoming difficulties through faith, resonated widely, garnering significant attention on social media. Notable figures like Kurt Carr and evangelist Franklin Graham praised Ogunleye for expressing her faith through her music and athletic achievements.
Ogunleye revealed that her decision to compete in the Olympics was guided by faith. She prayed for divine direction and felt assured by God that she would win gold, which bolstered her confidence and drive. This faith-driven approach played a crucial role in her preparation and performance at the Games.