The Winter Olympics are always full of edge-of-your-seat moments. The speed. The falls. The comebacks. And the Figure Skating is like Dancing With the Stars 2.0!
But beyond the medals and podiums, there are stories that matter even more.
As the world turns its eyes toward Milan Cortina in 2026, we’re cheering for more than clean runs and fast times. We’re cheering for athletes who openly say, “My faith comes first.”
Here are four Christian Olympians whose stories go way beyond the scoreboard.
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Elana Meyers Taylor
If you don’t know the name Elana Meyers Taylor yet, you should.
She’s already the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history- with multiple silver and bronze medals, and she’s still chasing gold. But ask her what matters most, and it’s not the hardware.
She’s said before: “God put me here for a specific reason and I don’t think it’s just to win medals.”
Elana prays before every race. Every time she walks to the start line. And whether she finishes first or last, her goal stays the same: glorify God.She’s also a mom of two sons, Nico and Noah, both born deaf, and Nico has Down syndrome. Elana has been open about wanting the world to see the joy in her family’s story.
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That’s powerful.
Because faith isn’t just something she leans on when she wins. It’s what carries her through motherhood, advocacy, and the pressure of elite competition.
Jadin O’Brien
Jadin O’Brien is heading into her first Olympics and her journey hasn’t been easy.
As a child, she battled PANDAS, a rare autoimmune disorder. Faith became her anchor early on.
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Now, whether she’s pushing a sled down an icy track or preparing for a major competition, she says the same thing keeps her grounded:
Dive into her faith. Cut out distractions. Then just go.
Before meets, she makes the sign of the cross. Her favorite verse? Jeremiah 29:11, the reminder that God’s plans include hope and a future. She’s not just racing for a medal. She’s racing with purpose.
Maxim Naumov
Some stories stop you in your tracks.
Maxim Naumov qualified for the Olympics after losing both of his parents, who were also his coaches in a tragic plane collision in Washington, D.C. They were former Olympic skaters themselves. They were his mentors. His foundation.
After earning a spot on the team, Maxim held up a childhood photo of himself on the ice with them.
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He’s been open about leaning into faith during unimaginable grief. Before skating, he makes the sign of the cross. After qualifying, he told reporters simply:
“God is good.”
He’s talked about wearing his baptismal cross at all times, calling it protection and a reminder of something bigger than the moment.
That doesn’t erase pain. But it shows perseverance. And watching someone skate not just with talent, but with resilience and hope? That’s something worth cheering for.
Paul Schommer
In biathlon, where athletes cross-country ski and then stop to shoot with a steady hand, focus is everything.
Paul Schommer is heading into his second Olympics, and he’s made it clear that his identity isn’t tied to his results.
He once shared:
“My identity doesn’t come from my results… it comes through my identity in Christ.”
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Paul talks about prayer as constant communication with God and says sometimes the most important prayer is simply listening.
In a sport that demands control, he’s learned surrender.
So yes, cheer for the speed. Cheer for the medals. Cheer for Team USA.
But also cheer for athletes who point beyond themselves. Because when the cameras turn off and the snow settles, the real victory isn’t gold.
It’s faith that endures.
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