Sport GoMag Issue 11 - English

ATHLETE TESTIMONY

Allyson Felix Dedication and belief in her God-given ability, despite setbacks, was the key in Allyson Felix's quest for Olympic gold Along with winning gold in the London Olympics 200 meters Allyson has won 5 additional Olympic silver and gold medals as well as 3 world championships. "My biggest defeats have come at the Olympic Games," Felix said. "After Beijing I was devastated, I had worked as hard as possible, but I came up short. But I decided to rededicate myself even harder and it was a blessing in disguise in London. I was able to work harder than ever before and finally it all came together."

"I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at a very young age. Ever since then, I have continually been striving to grow in my relationship with God. I'm currently a work in progress and like everyone else I face struggles every day.

My goal is to be more Christ-like each and every day and that is not an easy task.

"For me, my faith is the reason I run. I definitely feel I have this amazing gift that God has blessed me with, and it's all about using it to the best of my ability."

HEART VALUE

PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL Felix wants to be a disciple in the world of sport.

ATHLETE TESTIMONY

Kevin Durant Basketball Olympian Kevin Durant encourages others with humility Olympian and National Basketball Association star Kevin Durant lives in direct contrast to the era of huge, out-ofcontrol egos in sports – a big reason why other players like him. “(Kevin’s) very humble,” former teammate Jeff Green says. “He’s the leader…and a lot of guys follow his lead.

He helps guys get better with his actions and the way he is. It just makes guys want to be around him.”

Durant’s ability to remain humble can be traced to his family and a solid understanding of his faith in Christ that was cultivated while a teenager.

“I was always intrigued simply about how we got here,” Durant said. “Why do we do the things we do? Who made us like this? My mom always sat me down and talked to me, and I have spiritual teachers that help me out.”

These days, he relies on regular chapel attendance during the season, a spiritual coach and his former and new teammates as a means to a stronger “walk with the Lord.”

“In the Bible, the Lord exalts humility and that’s one thing I try to be all the time,” Durant said. “I’ve just got to be thankful to the Lord for the gifts He’s given me. My gift back to Him is to always be humble and to always try to work as hard as I can. I’ve got to continue to be that way.”

HEART VALUE

Obey the Bible Kevin Durant obeys the Bible, wanting to be humble as Christ taught his followers.

ATHLETE TESTIMONY

Vadym Kubov Ukrainina Paralympian Vadym Kubov understands that winning isn’t everything Prayer and God’s Word have been the driving factor for the success of Ukrainian Paralympian Vadym Kubov, who has won Ukrainian, European and World table tennis titles.

“In all reality, I am getting my strength from two sources: prayer and the Word of God,” Kubov said. “For me, life right now is worship to God. Training, competitions, spending time with friends, traveling, playing on musical instruments, solitude; for me, everything is worship to God.” “I believe that all our talents and abilities are from God. And no matter what we do, we are able to glorify God in sport as in life.”

Defeats at an early age increased Kubov's desire to win, but after he prayed and made his decision to accept Christ at a youth summer camp he realized that winning wasn't everything.

“Being there, I felt so good and comfortable that I didn't want to leave. My goals became a second priority to me,” he said. “While playing for the Ukrainian Cup, I understood that I wanted peace with God, and that I didn’t need victories to satisfy me. When I least needed victories, God started giving them to me.”

“One time, after the European Championships, a reporter asked ‘What is the main secret of your victories?’ I'm not sure what he was expecting to hear, but I gave him the answer of the wise Solomon, ‘That a horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.’”

HEART VALUE

In sport and play Vadym Kubov gives glory to Christ in every victory.

ATHLETE TESTIMONY

YURY POSTRIGAY Russian Olympian Yury Postrigay has shown boldness in his faith

Russian Yury Postrigay has won Olympic, World and European titles in canoeing, but his boldness in his faith is what stands out most.

Postrigay began the sport when he was 10 and has remained in canoeing even when others were giving up.

Focus on the goal, despite obstacles, has been the key.

“The main thing is success comes to the one who keeps trying,” he said. “Many guys, when they’ve finished 90 percent of their work, can give up everything despite being one step from the goal. It’s important to go to the end.”

His faith has been an example of that endurance.

From having “I am second, Jesus is first” written on his boat to sharing Christ with teammates and telling them of the peace that Christ brings, the boldness of Postrigay is what defines his faith.

“If somebody trusts the Lord because of my example, my life would be full,” he says. “My main task is to praise God through my victories.”

His ability to praise God started when he listened to a girl who attended church speak of a personal faith in Christ.

“I thought, ‘Why can’t I attend church constantly?’

Then I began to read the Bible and realized – life without God isn’t a life. I repented before God sincerely and decided to commit my life to God. This girl is my wife now, and I am thankful to God for it.”

“When God is first, everything else is good.”

HEART VALUE

PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL Yury Postrigay states that Jesus is first in his life, putting nothing above God.

ATHLETE TESTIMONY

Stephen Curry Stephen Curry doesn't let circumstances get him down, instead focusing on growing in his relationship with Christ It would be easy for Stephen Curry to have his on-the-court issues affect every aspect of his life, every bit of his happiness.

A star competitor for Team USA and the Golden State Warriors, Curry was most recently named the National Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player for the second straight season.

His wife, Ayesha Curry, wonders how he does it—how Stephen comes home every day, the weight of his team on his shoulders, the frustration of ankle injury after ankle injury, surgery after surgery, rehab after rehab, and doesn't bring any of it into the home.

"Nothing really ever gets him down too much," Ayesha says. "I think that a part of that is because he knows how blessed he is, and all of the wonderful things in his life outweigh the things that could be better."

It is in his family that you see the depth of Stephen's personality—his desire to be a leader and carry his family in the right direction, his passion for his faith.

"My priority is to be a man and child of God," Stephen says. "Family definitely helps me in that regard because if my faith carries them and they're happy, I know I'm doing the right thing."

HEART VALUE

Obey the Bible Stephen Curry is committed to helping his family grow in their faith, and his top priority is to live for the Lord.