British chaplain aims to keep Olympic athletes close to God as they compete in respective sports
All of us most certainly think that the Olympics is all about sports, but a chaplain from the United Kingdom has shown that the much-awaited athletic event held every four years can also be about God.
Jules Wilkinson, a Christian cleric from Abingdon Road in Oxford, went to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil not to take part in any sporting event in the Olympic Games, but to keep athletes close to God while competing in their respective fields.
"My role will just be an extension of what I do day to day, which is meeting up with athletes and encouraging their relationship with Jesus," Wilkinson said in an interview with Oxford Mail.
The chaplain said she travelled to the Olympic venue to also help athletes deal with the pressure of the games by reminding them to always trust in God.
"The Olympics is the pinnacle of their sport and therefore it will be the most pressure they will experience in their careers," Wilkinson said.
"I'm not a psychologist. I'm not adding anything to their sport and not trying to. I'm simply there to represent Jesus and open God's Word with people... It's a really fun atmosphere," she added.
For instance, Wilkinson sent handwritten notes to Christian believers in the Olympic Village with Bible verses printed on them to remind them of their faith before competing in their fields.
During her stay in Rio de Janeiro, she stayed at the multi-faith centre in the Olympic Village with a Christian room, which is shared between the Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox chaplains.
She also makes sure that the identities of practicing Christian athletes are kept confidential to protect their integrity.
Wilkinson shared how amazed she was by the Olympic experience, seeing how athletes of different nationalities, races and faiths live together and aspire to give their best in their chosen sports.
"The atmosphere is amazing, we have 205 different nationalities that have been brought together with a common purpose... They are living together and it's all so natural. There are so many different sports going on, too," the chaplain said.
