Olympics Heros

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)

Joey Cheek won two medals in the Winter Olympics in Speed Skating. He made the headline when he donated $40,000 in bonus money (= $25,000 for Gold and $15,000 for Silver) to "Right to Play." That organization was founded by another Olympian. It uses sports to promote a healthier lifestyle for underprivileged children in 20 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Cheek also asked Corporate sponsors to match his donation and $300,000 has been collected in one week. His teammates want him to carry the U.S. flag at the Olympics closing ceremony.

I don't know whether Joey Cheek is a Christian but I remember another Olympics hero whose story inspired the movie "Chariot of Fire." Eric Liddell refused to run on Sunday in the semi-finals of his best event. However, he ran in another event (not his strongest) and won. Later, he went to China as a missionary and died there. His short life made a big difference, inspiring other young people to serve God.

Copyright © 2006 Winnis Chiang, Parenting ABC