Allyson Felix, Sprinter for the USA says: 'My faith is definitely the most important aspect of my life. My dad is a [seminary professor] and I grew up in a very strong Christian home. Our family was very involved in our church. I am so blessed to have my family and the upbringing that I did. It means so much to me to have two very godly parents who both have so much wisdom. They are amazing role models that I have had the privilege to watch as I grew up.

I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at a very young age. Ever since then, I have continually been striving to grown in my relationship with God. I was nowhere close to the perfect child. I had my share of difficult times along with some disappointing choices that I made, but thankfully God never stops loving me.

I’m currently a work in progress and like anyone 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. I know that I’m trying to be something different from [other Olympic runners] and after I run I hope that people can distinguish [Christ-like] character in the way I present myself.'

Hear more from Allyson Felix here.

Kirsty Balfour, Swimmer, Scotland, Olympics 2004 and 2008, 2006 European Championships—2 gold and a silver, 2007 World Championships—silver

Brought up to attend church every Sunday, Kirsty became a Christian at an early age. “I think I was about seven when I gave my life to Jesus,” she remembers. However, it wasn’t until just a few years ago that she started to think more seriously about what she believed. “I came to a point where I had to think through everything I believed again, and I have now made a firm commitment to follow Jesus Christ. In the past few years my relationship with Jesus has grown a lot stronger and I feel closer to God.”

2006 was a great year for Kirsty. After reaching the Olympic semi-final in 2004, she had a disappointing world championship in 2005, not even making the semi-final. But at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne she picked up bronze in the 100 and silver in the 200 meters breaststroke. The 200 was a memorable race with Leisel Jones of Australia breaking the world record. Kirsty’s 2:24.04 beat her own personal best by 3 seconds and was only one hundredth of a second from the European record.

Kirsty’s faith is fully integrated with her swimming, "I've given my life to God. I’m thankful to be able to use the talent God’s given me. I believe everything I do has a bearing. I believe things happen for a reason—the disappointment of the world championship and the success in the European championship. I think God has a plan for each of us."

Hear more from Kirsty Balfour here.

Steph Cook, England, 2000 Olympic gold medalist—modern pentathlon

Steph Cook went to the Sydney Olympics as a doctor who had become good at her hobby, wanting to see how far she could go. She went to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience, and never guessed what effect it would have on her life afterwards.

She had grown up in a Christian family and recalls having a New Testament by her bed and reading bits of it. “It was as if I knew there was someone there, watching out for me and looking after me. When I was 17, I was walking to a good friend’s house with her and she started questioning me about what I believed. It was the first time anyone had challenged me to think about spiritual things.

“It started me thinking and questioning what I did believe and what my own faith was. My friend went to a church youth group in Cambridge and I started going with her. There was never one defining moment when I thought, ‘Yes, that’s it, everything has changed,’ but during that period it all started to make more sense. I think my faith has always been there although it hadn’t been clarified in my own mind.”

As she left for Sydney, she took with her some Bible quotes that a friend had given her, organised into a verse for each day of the training camp and the Games. “It was lovely for me to have them each day as a focus, and to build them into my quiet times. God was constantly there as a focus for the day. I find it very important to be disciplined in my Christian life and to try to have regular quiet times each day. It can be difficult when you are away for training and competitions and don’t have the usual fellowship and encouragement from a church.”

Hear more from Steph Cook here.