Kirsty Balfour, a member of Great Britain's swim team, told The Sun in London that her strong religious beliefs directed her path to the Olympics.
"I didn't choose swimming. It chose me," she said. "I realized God had given me a talent for it."
Balfour, 24 (pictured at the 2007 FINA World Swimming Championships with Leisel Jones), encountered disappointment in Beijing, though, placing eighth in the women's 100 metre breaststroke semifinals Aug. 11, two seconds behind the winner. She placed sixth in Heat 5 of the 200 meter breaststroke two days later.
According to her biography on the British Olympic Association website, Balfour's "biggest passion away from swimming" is her church life, and to prepare for swim meets, she listens to gospel music and prays. In response to the question "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" Balfour said, "Married with kids and working for my church."
Her profile at nbcolympics.com says she "likes to pray before competition swims and when she's in the water." It lists Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who strengthens me," as one of her favorite verses.
"When I am training or competing, feeling like I am just about to die, I know God is there in the water with me and He will see me through," Balfour, a native of Edinburg, Scotland, said.
In an interview with Athletes in Action, Balfour said she thinks she was about 7 years old when she gave her life to Jesus, but it wasn't until a few years ago that she thought more seriously about her convictions.
"I came to a point where I had to think through everything I believed again, and I have now made a firm commitment to follow Jesus Christ," she told AIA. "In the past few years my relationship with Jesus has grown a lot stronger and I feel closer to God."
Balfour, who also competed in Athens in 2004, conveyed a sense of maturity about winning some big competitions and losing some others.
"I believe things happen for a reason ... I think God has a plan for each of us," she said.
Source: Baptist News
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