Olympic Track Star Sanya Richards Gives the Credit for Her Success to God

She is one of the fastest female runners in the world. Sanya Richards won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics in the 400-meter race, a gold medal as part of the United States team in the 400-meter relay race in 2008, as well as a similar gold medal in the same event in the 2004 Olympics, a silver medal in the 400-meter race in the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, a gold medal in the 400-meter relay in the 2003 World Championships in Paris, and a gold medal in the 400-meter relay in the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan. Despite all her accomplishments, however, Olympic star Sanya Richards is modest and as a dedicated Christian gives God all the credit for her accomplishments.

Sanya Richards has a long list of accomplishments. She was the youngest woman ever to break the 49 second barrier in the 400 meter race. She was the 2006 World Female Athlete of the Year. In 2006 she was ranked # 1 in the world by the IAAF in the 200 and 400 meter races. She was the three time United States Outdoor champion in the 400 meter race. She was undefeated in 400 meter races in 2006.

As the official Billy Graham website, BillyGraham.org, pointed out, athletics are often filled with stories of athletes who live pure lives and rise above difficult circumstances to accomplish much. It also pointed out, however, there are also many athletes who have taken shortcuts, to obtain their dreams in various ways, such as by taking drugs. Various websites have pointed out, however, that Sanya Richards has been a successful athlete at the Olympics and other places while being an example of Christian integrity and hard work.

Sanya Richards came to believe in Jesus Christ as God's Son, as the One she believes died on the cross and rose again to give a home in heaven to believers, when she was only 12. She was born in Kingston Jamaica and was not exposed to Christianity until she moved to the United States. She became a Christian almost immediately after starting to attend church. She is currently affiliated with the Baptist church. She still goes to church every Sunday when she is not traveling or competing.

Sanya Richards and her sister recently started reading the entire Bible. She has always read the Bible as much as she can. She and her sister read together every Wednesday.

Sanya says her favorite verse is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." She says she often tries to do things that have rarely been done before. That verse encourages her.

Any athlete of the caliber of Olympic star Sanya Richards no doubt has to put a lot of hard work and training into being successful. No doubt such athletes run into various temptations too. For Richards, staying on track is a simple matter.

"My faith keeps me grounded," she said in an interview in About.com. "My faith encourages me to give my best. I know that my talent is God's gift to me, and how I use it is a gift to him."

Olympic star Sanya Richards says she has only rarely suffered persecution for her faith. Those who know her know where she stands. She does have chances to share her faith with those who are not Christians.

Sanya Richards says she has learned God is always with us and never forgets about us. Her personal hero of the faith is her Aunt Maureen. She says she has been a good example over the years, even when a son recently died.

While some may believe their athletic success was the ultimate success in life, Olympic star Sanya Richards thinks the best thing in her life is her faith in Jesus Christ.

Citations: 2008 Olympic Athlete Sanya Richards, by Mary Fairchild, About.com