RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 08: Silver medalists David Boudia and Steele Johnson of the United States celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's Diving Synchronised 10m Platform Final on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) Staff reporter
US Olympic diver Steele Johnson scooped a silver medal at the Games this week. It was the first Olympic outing for the 20-year-old athlete. But, while he expressed obvious delight at winning a medal for his country, Mr Johnson was in no doubt that Olympic glory fades in comparison with his faith. He told reporters: “I’m Steele Johnson the Olympian, but at the same time, I’m here to love and serve Christ. My identity is rooted in Christ.”
“The fact that I was going into this event knowing that my identity is rooted in Christ and not what the result of this competition is just gave me peace…and it let me enjoy the contest,” he said.
“If something went great, I was happy. If something didn’t go great, I could still find joy because I’m at the Olympics.
“God’s given us a cool opportunity, and I’m glad I could come away with an Olympic silver medal in my first-ever event,” he added.