2012: London Olympics

LONDON (BP) -- In qualifying for the U.S. wrestling Olympics team, Sam Hazewinkel did more than just fulfill a lifelong dream.       He made history, both for himself and for his dad.

LONDON (BP) -- Her job isn't normal. She frequently heads into the African Bush armed with a sketchpad, pencils and paintbrushes.

LONDON (BP) -- At 15, American Brittany Viola thought she wasn't good enough to be one of the top divers in the world because she didn't look the part.       The young diver had been given an opportunity to train with Laura Wilkinson, the best diver in Viola's event at the time (and a former Olympic gold medalist).

LONDON (BP) -- Gabby Douglas will soon have more money than she ever dreamed. [QUOTE@left@170="God has given me this awesome talent to represent Him. Glory goes up to Him, and the blessings fall down on us."]With a vibrant smile and two gold medals to her credit at the Olympics, the 16-year-old gymnast undoubtedly will cash in with endorsement and marketing deals worth millions of dollars. At the top of her wish list? An Acura NSX. "I want the one like Iron Man's off 'The Avengers,'" Douglas said. "That was a nice car." The fame and fortune that Douglas instantly captured may make some things easier, but they won't remove the difficulties from her life. When she faces such struggles, she turns to Scripture. "God has given me this awesome talent to represent Him. Glory goes up to Him, and the blessings fall down on us," Douglas said Aug. 5 in a press conference at the North Greenwich Arena. When she's learning something new that may seem intimidating, she tells herself, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of peace, love and a sound mind," she said. When she's having trouble perfecting a skill, she quotes, "All things are possible through Him." "You just mentally quote that, and it builds your faith up so much," Douglas said. "God will never fail you. He's always on your side." Her first Tweet after winning the individual all-around read simply, "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me." Before Douglas left for London, Quintin Stieff, pastor of the Valley Church where she attends in West Des Moines, Iowa, likened her to a light that should shine to draw attention to God. Douglas shared her testimony with the congregation.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Baptist Press’ London bureau, in tandem with Tim Ellsworth, editor of BP Sports and director of news and media relations at Union University, will be providing coverage of London Olympics. Baptist Press will publish features about Christian athletes in the Olympics, recap results of their competition and cover initiatives to share the Gospel […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Tim Ellsworth, editor of BP Sports and director of news and media relations at Union University, is in London to cover the 2012 Olympics in tandem with Baptist Press’ London bureau. Baptist Press will publish features about Christian athletes in the Olympics, recap results of their competition and cover Baptist initiatives to share […]

LONDON (BP) -- A swimmer lagging behind the field at a triathlon competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in October ran to his bike for the second stage of an event.       A race referee should have stopped him before he darted onto the road where the other athletes were already speeding along on their bikes. ...

LONDON (BP) -- Bernard McGraw paused when he saw the man at the pump stacking pennies on the hood of his car.       "Hey, man -- do you have a quarter? I'm trying to buy a gallon of gas."

LONDON (BP) -- The fact that Jesse Williams is even on the U.S. Olympic team may seem like a fluke to some.       The U.S. high jumper finished fourth in the Olympic trials earlier this summer, and only the top three qualify for the Olympics. But third-place finisher Nick Ross didn't have the Olympic 'A' standard necessary, 7'7", so Williams squeaked in.

LONDON (BP) -- Each Olympics entails abounding fanfare and meticulous preparation in "going for the gold" and "winning the prize."