The Faith Adjacent History of the Olympics, Interviews with Real Olympians, and Biblical Bobsled Competitions

2026-02-19

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Step up to the podium alongside this gold medal-worthy replay episode as Erin presents a Faith Adjacent deep dive of the Olympics! We’ll go faster, higher, and stronger together as we unpack the ancient origins and modern resurgence of the Olympics, explore the use of athletic metaphors throughout scripture, and hear interviews from actual Olympic gold medalists Laura Wilkinson and Bryan Clay in our most athletic episode yet! You’ll also hear a sneak preview of our very contentious, Patreon-exclusive Faith Adjacent Winter Olympics!

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The Faith Adjacent Winter Olympics: Listen with a 7-day free trial
Past Olympics Episodes: The Faith Adjacency of the Olympics | The Faith Adjacent Seminary Olympics | Full Interviews with Laura Wilkinson and Bryan Clay
Where to Watch: Peacock
Investigative Journalism: An Oral History of Bob Costas Having Pink Eye at the Olympics
Laura Wilkinson: Website | Instagram | Book - Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion | Watch her win gold
Bryan Clay: Instagram | Book - Redemption: A Rebellious Spirit, A Praying Mother, and the Unlikely Path to Olympic Gold | Watch him win gold
Kerri Strug: Website | Instagram
Watch: National Geographic History of the Olympics
Listen: Season 9, Episode 4: Constantine
Christian History: Revisiting the Pagan Olympic Games
Father of Modern Olympics: Pierre de Coubertin Deep Dive
Gym Bros: History of the YMCA
Bible Sports Metaphors: 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 | 2 Timothy 4:6-8 | Hebrews 12:1-3 Galatians 2:2 | Philippians 2:16
Read: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
Sha’Carri Richardson: Read more here
Bible Scholar Resources: The New Testament in its World by N.T. Wight | The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible | Perseverance in Gratitude by David A. deSilva
Olympic Scholar Resources: The Games by David Goldblatt | Ancient Greek Athletics, by Stephen G. Miller | A Brief History of the Olympic Games by David C. Young