LONDON (WordNews.org) Aug. 4, 2012 –Christian Taylor is expected to take the men’s triple jump gold for the United States when he is competes on Aug. 7.
But Steve McConkey says Taylor is already a winner. Taylor is one of the Christian athletes participating in the Olympics in London.
Other Christian track and field athletes at the games include Stephanie Brown Trafton, Allyson Felix, Chaunte Lowe, Jenny Simpson and Jesse Williams.
McConkey is the president of 4 Winds Christian Athletics, a Madison, Wisconsin, ministry to the U.S. Olympic track and field team.
The ministry spends time with the team during the Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon.

Christian Taylor joins a number of Christian athletes competing in the Olympics in London. Photo by Liz McConkey, 4 Winds Christian Athletics

He said the Olympic track and field team is well represented by a good core of Christian athletes. The track and field portion of the Olympics, which began Friday, ends on Aug. 12.
McConkey told WordNews.org that what those watching the games on television may not realize is that many of the Christian athletes spend time together when not competing. A couple of days ago a large Bible study was held in the Olympic Village, McConkey said. Sometimes athletes will shoot McConkey an email looking for suggestions on Bible study topics.
The International Olympic Committee isn’t supportive of efforts to evangelize at the games, he said, but athletes have more leeway to share their faith.
“If you had 20 Bibles and were going to stand outside, on the street, you’d get thrown out. It’s supposed to be non-political and non-religious,” McConkey said. “But athletes can share in the Olympic Village. They get together and hold Bible studies.”
He is asking Christians to lift up the U.S. Olympic track and field team in prayer.
“Since 1981, we have seen a good core of Christians on the USA teams. We are asking Christians everywhere to pray for the Olympic Christian athletes.”
McConkey and his wife Liz have been in world-class track and field ministries since 1981.
From 1982 through 1992, Steve McConkey was a director and coach of elite Christian track and field teams. In 1992, the couple started 4 Winds and began working with athletes on all teams.
The ministry receives press passes so it can write stories on the athletes for its website, www.TrackandFieldReport.com. The site keeps athletes, coaches, and fans informed in the world of track and field.
4 Winds also has a news-apologetics site, www.BigWorldWatch.com.