Winter Olympics: Finding true strength in faith

Amid the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Justin Gibson reflects on perseverance, trust and resilience.

This month, many of us will have been following the Winter Olympics or anticipating the upcoming Winter Paralympics, engaged by athletes’ remarkable stories. In my experience as a swimming instructor, I witness first-hand how athletes’ journeys are shaped by determination and robust support networks. These individuals often overcome significant challenges, from securing funding to maintaining daily training, and their commitment enables them to persevere through adversity and pursue excellence.

My teaching philosophy is centred on helping people develop intrinsic motivation and make steady progress, understanding that everyone learns differently. My main objective has always been to teach people how to breathe before anything else. In winter sports, you often hear how important it is to focus on both your mind and breathing. In swimming, if you’re not comfortable with your breathing, mastering the rest of the stroke becomes impossible. Trust is essential for putting your face in the water and being confident you’ll breathe again.

A technique I frequently employ is backstroke breathing, coordinating arm movements with rhythmic breaths to stay calm and relaxed. This demonstrates how establishing a consistent breathing pattern can positively impact daily life and foster greater self-control. When challenges arise, recalling these breathing techniques empowers individuals to regain composure.

Just as athletes need to breathe, our souls rely on the breath of life – Jesus – to truly flourish. We are encouraged to breathe in God’s breath for comfort, as reflected in Job 33:4: ‘The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life’ (English Standard Version). Through this, we learn to release fear, trust in God and draw strength from his Spirit. Isaiah 26:3 says: ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.’

I strive to empower people to face their fears in training, become more resilient and reach their full potential in their sport – and to apply these principles in everyday life. My role is to support and guide them, from sinking to floating and eventually swimming confidently. Just as I help them through those first anxious stages, we are called to encourage one another (see Galatians 6:2) as we strive towards our God-given potential.

Adam Pengilly, a retired Olympic skeleton racer, once reflected on his career, saying: ‘God’s love doesn’t depend on how I perform.’ His journey was influenced by worshipping through sport, rather than defining himself by achievements or setbacks. This reflects Colossians 3:23: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.’

True strength lies not in coming first, but in facing setbacks and growing from them. Take Olympian Matt Weston as an example. After switching to skeleton, he faced years of rigorous training and overcame obstacles – including equipment trouble at the 2022 Beijing Olympics – before earning a gold medal earlier this month.

Ultimately, our value doesn’t come from medals, but from our foundation in Christ. No matter the outcome, we dedicate our efforts to God. Victory should be accompanied by humility, and defeat by perseverance, trusting that God brings good from every circumstance.

Across all sports, athletes remind us that success isn’t solely defined by a podium: real achievement comes from running your own race, giving your absolute best and finishing strong – no matter your final position.

Reflect and respond

• Lord, help us to do our best in all we do – our work, family life and our service to others – whether we win or lose, whether we are rewarded or go unnoticed by others. In times of triumph, keep us humble and grateful. In times of defeat or disappointment, grant us the resilience to stand back up, knowing our true worth is found in you alone. Thank you for the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ (Hebrews 12:1) that encourage us to keep going. Let our lives be a testament to your grace and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.