Elite Athletes Encounter GodSample

Forgive us our sins

Sandro Viletta (Switzerland)
Olympic Champion in Alpine Skiing

Sandro Viletta in the interview with Jörg Walcher on 07.08.2012

How to do you live out your faith?

I basically try to implement what I have learned from my parents into my own life. I try to live out those values towards my rivals, team colleagues and coaches. In doing so, fairness and living together in harmony is very important to me. 

Why did you take your time during the Olympic Games in 2010 to regularly participate in our Chapel Services and Bible studies, despite your busy schedule?

At first, I didn’t even know anything like this existed. Then I thought to myself, “If such an opportunity exists, then I will use it.” If someone wants to, then they will take the time. We met together for 20-30 minutes. Everybody has that kind of time. 

If there were Chapel Services and Bible Studies throughout the year would you make use of them?

It was very easy at the Olympics because everything was in one place. That was already really cool. If this would also exist otherwise, then I would be very interested. 

Do you read the bible?

Two years I ago I once read the entire bible. 

How does your prayer life look like?

Every evening before I go to bed, I pray to God. I pray the Lord’s Prayer, and tell Him what’s on my heart. Before a race I pray that I would arrive safely at the finish line. 

As an elite athlete you often travel on the weekends and can’t easily attend a church service. How does that affect you?

It would be nice to know more believers and meet on a regular basis. Maybe there are other people who would like that too. But I don’t know that because we rarely talk about it. 

Many American Football Teams have their own Chaplain. Some of these athletes meet on a regular basis with the Chaplain to pray, read the Bible, and to exchange thoughts. Could you imagine something like that taking place at the Ski World Cup?

Yes, that would be cool! I think there are quite a few people who would be interested in that, and then again, many who wouldn’t know what to do with it. For us, there still exists a big hindrance to talk about it. 

Action Step

God also wants to encounter YOU. Invite the Holy Spirit to read the bible passage with you and expect that he will speak to you. Trust that God will show you the steps you should take in your own life. Ask Him for strength and courage to follow his voice.