Are you sure?
This bookmark will be removed from all folders and any saved notes will be permanently removed.
Eye on the World: the 2014 Winter Olympics (Updated)
The 2014 Winter Olympics began on Friday, February 7, with opening ceremonies at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia. Eighty-eight countries are represented at the games, with athletes competing in 98 different events including figure skating, ski jumping, and slopestyle snowboard. On Sunday night, Russia took gold in the women’s team figure skating event, while Canada took silver and the USA took bronze. Meanwhile, snowboarder Jenny Jones became the first British athlete to medal in a snow-based Olympic event.
But excitement about the Games has been tempered by fears related to terrorism. Although Russian officials have called Sochi “the most secure venue ... on the planet,” other security experts worry about terrorist attacks in surrounding areas. Russian and US security agencies have a strong presence at the Games to ensure safety for athletes and spectators.
Those interested in supporting the Games through prayer might enjoy listening to this Sentinel live audio chat, “Praying for the Winter Olympics in Russia.” The guest, a Christian Science teacher living six months out of the year in Russia, explains that harmony and peace are spiritual qualities originating in God, and that world citizens can come together in prayer to witness good sportsmanship, safety, and international cooperation at the Games.
No matter where we live, it’s natural to want to see a Winter Olympics that’s free from violence or fear. One way we can support this outcome is through prayer. “Prayers for Sochi Olympics” explains how our collective desire to perceive God, divine Love, guarding all participants and guiding their actions can bring a feeling of peace and provide a powerful defense against any violence.
“Spiritual Olympians” takes a deeper look at the divine ideals behind the Games — qualities of God such as strength, grace, and peace that athletes, organizers, and spectators naturally express. Just as Olympic athletes put in hard work to perform at a world-class level in their field, so we too can devote our “best energies” (Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 5 ) to learning more about our relationship to God and how He guides His creation.