Olympians Use Web Site to Share Faith with Fans

BeyondTheUltimate.org: Allyson Felix, Luke Ridnour and Other Olympic Athletes Share a Faith That Means More to Them Than Gold Medals

XENIA, Ohio, July 30, 2008—"My faith helps me put things into perspective and understand that winning isn't everything."     -2008 Track and Field Olympian Brian Clay

An Olympic Gold Medal will be the ultimate pursuit of thousands of the world's top athletes in Beijing this August.  But a group of Olympians have found something more valuable than gold medals, and they're sharing their personal stories with fans worldwide through BeyondTheUltimate.org.

BeyondTheUltimate.org features stories and videos of current and past U.S. Olympic athletes, including: 

• Brian Clay, 2004 Olympic decathlon silver medalist, 2008 track and field Olympian
• Gene Davis, 1972 and 1976 Olympic wrestler
• Josh Davis, 1996 three-time Olympic swimming gold medalist, and 2000 two-time Olympic swimming silver medalist
• Allyson Felix, three-time USA Outdoor 200m champion, 2004 Olympic silver medalist,
  2008 track and field Olympian
• Ryan Hall, 2008 Olympic marathon runner

Representing the highest in personal achievement, these athletes share not only a passion for sport but also a passion from which they are able to draw strength for competition-and for life.

"My dream to compete in the Olympics began in eighth grade when I set out on a 15-mile run around the lake in my hometown...I've been running in pursuit of my dream ever since," said U.S. Olympic marathon runner Ryan Hall.  "My sense of worth and my joy was totally dependant on how well I was running. The result was frustration, worry, depression and discontentment with life.  However, when I'm following Christ closely, there's a contentment and satisfaction in my life that is far greater and longer-enduring than any good race I've ever run."

BeyondTheUltimate.org was originally developed in partnership with Athletes in Action, the sports ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, as a platform for Super Bowl coaches Tony Dungy,Lovie Smith and their players to share the important role that faith in Jesus Christ has played in their lives.  BeyondTheUltimate.org has since expanded to reach fans of a variety of sports.

Athletes in Action works with athletes and coaches to use the unique platform of sport to help people around the world with questions of faith.  For more information about Athletes in Action, visit www.AIA.com.

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