Gold Medalist’s Victory Gospel Song Breaks The Internet

Yemisi Ogunleye, a Nigerian-born athlete representing Germany, gained widespread attention after winning the gold medal in women’s shot put at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Following her victory, Ogunleye went viral for her heartfelt tribute to God, which she expressed through a gospel song.

At 25 years old, Ogunleye clinched the gold with a throw of 20 meters, narrowly surpassing New Zealand’s Maddi Wesche by 0.14 meters. Despite nearly stumbling during her initial throw due to wet conditions, Ogunleye remained determined.

During a press conference, Ogunleye, who has a background in gospel choir singing, shared how her faith played a crucial role in her performance. She revealed that singing gospel music, particularly “I Almost Let Go,” helped her stay focused on God amidst the challenges of the competition. “I almost let go / I was right at the edge of a breakthrough but couldn’t see it / The devil really had me / But Jesus came and grabbed me,” she sang, emphasizing her gratitude for divine support.

Ogunleye attributed her success to God’s mercy and grace, stating that without divine intervention, winning gold would not have been possible. She recounted praying for perspective and strength during the event, which helped her channel her remaining energy into her performance.

Her impassioned rendition of the gospel song at the press conference quickly went viral, amassing over a million views and receiving praise from celebrities and fans alike. Evangelist Franklin Graham shared his admiration on Facebook, praising Ogunleye for her courage in publicly expressing her faith. Musician Kurt Carr, who originally recorded the song Ogunleye performed, also congratulated her for using her platform to share her love for God.

In an interview with Olympics.com, Ogunleye revealed that her decision to compete in the Olympics was guided by her spiritual convictions. She recounted praying about her Olympic aspirations and feeling a strong sense of assurance from God that she would achieve gold. “It sounded unbelievable at the time, but as I saw it unfold, my faith grew stronger,” Ogunleye said.

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