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An international team of chaplains worked continuously behind the scenes at the recently concluded Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, meeting the spiritual needs of 10,500 of the world's finest athletes.

Madeline Manning Mims, one of the chaplains, knows firsthand what it is like to be an Olympic athlete facing the terrifying culmination of years of training and the pursuit of a dream. She did it herself four times.

"She knows the fears, the pressures, the doubts, the highs and lows that we go through," says Josh Davis, who won three U.S. men's swimming relay gold medals at the 1996 Olympic Games. "Athletes know they can trust her, because she's been there."

Mims won a gold medal in the 800 meters in 1968 in Mexico City, setting Olympic and world records. She also participated on the 1972, 1976, and 1980 Olympic teams before beginning singing, speaking, and ambassadorial careers.

A Christian since childhood, Mims found few spiritual resources at the Olympics to help athletes. So she decided to be one herself. In her volunteer ministry, she leads Olympic athletes in worship and encourages them in private.

"Athletes are very religious because of the fear factor, the intense pressure, and anxiety of national and international competition," Mims says. "They'll often reach down in their faith to help them stay sane."

MINISTERING TO THE STRESSED:

At an early Sunday morning worship service during the Games, the Scripture readings, music, and prayers were all familiar. Nothing was unusual except that the group was composed of world-class athletes and prominent sports officials.

For volleyball athlete Jerine Fleurke of the Netherlands, this service was a rare opportunity to worship amid several weeks of exhausting training and intense competition. It was also a treasured chance for fellowship, because none of her teammates shared her faith.

"The others [on my team] were asleep when I came here," she said. "I need to talk to people, to be encouraged by other Christians."

The service was just one activity offered by the Religious Services Center in Atlanta's Olympic Village, the residential and entertainment area for 10,500 Olympic athletes. The center included 30 Protestant chaplains from around the world who represented more than 20 languages and a myriad of denominations. Several of the chaplains, such as Mims, were top athletes who have significant ministries in church congregations or with athletic teams.

Every morning and evening during the Games, a handful of athletes showed up at the center for Bible studies and times of singing. And while chaplains said they are encouraged by the number of committed Christian athletes, they also conceded that with the tremendous activity and celebration surrounding the Olympics, worship generally was not the top priority.

"Athletes don't come to the village to go to church," said Gary Leazer, assistant manager of the Religious Activities Department. "They come here to train, compete, and have fun."

A PLACE TO UNWIND:

For this reason, the Religious Services Center had tried in low-key ways to attract athletes and make them feel at home. For instance, athletes could relax downstairs while playing table tennis or billiards.

"It's a simple environment that doesn't compete with all the glitz and glamour surrounding the Games, but it provides an essential spiritual resource for the unique challenges facing Olympic athletes," said chaplain Peter Nelson, a minister from Canberra, Australia. "For the most celebrated Olympians, an obvious challenge is the temptation of money and success. But in the heat of competition, almost all the athletes struggled most with focusing.

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September 16 1996, Vol. 40, No. 10