Olympic Glory!
Author: Pastor Mitch Williams
February 26, 2026
Perhaps you’ve had a chance to watch some of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. There is no bigger stage on earth for sports than the Olympic Games. The best athletes from around the world compete for the glory of receiving a gold, silver, or bronze medal. But at least two athletes took the opportunity to showcase not only their athleticism, but also their steadfast faith in Jesus. The two players are Haley Winn and Jaccob Slavin.
Haley Winn, a 22-year-old defenseman on the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, helped lead her team to a dramatic gold-medal victory in overtime over Canada, a thrilling 2-1 win that captivated millions around the world. In her first Olympic Games, Winn played an integral role throughout the tournament and even scored her first Olympic goal.
But for Haley, the greatest part of the experience wasn’t just the medal; it was the way her faith kept her grounded and pointed others to Christ. In a post-game interview, she said: “Christ is my identity, my foundation…I wouldn’t be an Olympic champion without my family and my faith.” Winn also shared how she and several teammates would pray together before games, finding strength, peace, and unity in Christ even amid high pressure. She also emphasized that she sees her role in hockey as a platform to give glory to God rather than herself, saying she feels “blessed that God is using me to glorify Him on this platform.”
On the men’s side, veteran defenseman Jaccob Slavin helped the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team capture a historic Olympic gold medal — the first in decades — with an inspiring combination of steadfast play and heartfelt testimony. Slavin has long been outspoken about his Christian faith. His social media bio includes the phrase “All Glory to God” with a reference to Galatians 1:10, expressing his desire to please God rather than people in all he does.
In interviews during and after the Olympics, Slavin made it clear that he views hockey as an opportunity for God’s glory. He shared that whether in a regular game or on the Olympic ice, his mindset remains the same: to play for God first, knowing that comes before any human accolade or applause. Winning gold was a tremendous honor, but he said the joy that lasts “comes from the Lord forever.”
These Olympians remind us that wherever God places us, we are called to be His witnesses. Whatever we do, we are to do it for His glory, not our own. For true joy and lasting identity are not found in medals or applause, but in Jesus Christ alone!
As we celebrate the achievements of our country’s Olympic winners, may we also be inspired to run our own race with endurance, faith, and purpose, giving glory to God in all we do.
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:31
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