Like many of you, I have been watching the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. It is heartening to witness the triumph of the human spirit, often against considerable odds, on this international stage. It is in our design to use our gifts to strive for excellence.

In these days of seeing our constitutionally protected religious freedom reduced to attending Mass or religious services, it gives me great joy to see and hear athletes openly expressing their Christian faith: Brazilian swimmer Joao Gomes crossing himself before his race; U.S. synchronized divers David Boudia and Steele Johnson affirming their relationship with Christ after winning a silver medal; and, as our story on page 2 relates, gymnast Simone Biles and swimmer Katie Ledecky, both Gold Medal winners, saying that their Catholic faith is central to who they are.

Now, it’s not up to us to judge how faithful they are. But the fact remains that they appear to be striving for eternal greatness while striving for athletic greatness, publicly witnessing to Christ before the world.

And for that, I am thankful.

It wasn’t that long ago that Rio became hallowed ground for Pope Francis’ World Youth Day visit. Maybe some of that has rubbed off on the Olympians, who are now bearing the flame of faith alongside the Olympic flame.

God bless you!