Article January 1, 2000 Issue

An Olympic hopeful's Thoughts on Prayer

Rick Lipsey with contributions from Ricky Bower

Ricky Bower is one of the world's best snowboarders. The 1999 World Champion in the half pipe discipline, and a member of the United States National Ski Team, Ricky has just finished a summer of intensive training. He plans to compete on the World Cup circuit this winter, and in 2002 he hopes to represent the US at the XIX Winter Olympics, which will be held in his hometown of Park City, Utah.

During a recent discussion with Sports Illustrated writer Rick Lipsey, Ricky attributed his boarding success not to physical prowess, but to reliance on God and his lifelong study of Christian Science. "Christian Science has taught me who I really am, and that is not a guy cruising through a half pipe trying to win a trophy," says Ricky. "I am a spiritual idea, God's child, expressing God's qualities—joy, talent, love, and humility—and so is everybody else on the mountain."

Here is Rick's interview with Ricky.

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