“Knowing Christ is the best thing that has ever happened to me, although winning the US Open was a pretty good second.”
Olympics 2012
The Olympics from every perspective seemed a thoroughly enjoyable and mostsuccessful sporting events ever. For me it was hard work and long hours but at the same time an immense privilege to be part of it.
I was in an unusual role as Olympic Attaché for Togo. At the outset I had four aims:
1 To provide logistical back-up for the team of 19 international chaplains.
2 To fulfil my commitments to the Togo Olympic Committee who had asked me to be their Olympic Attaché.
3 To support Christian Olympians whom I knew.
4 To enjoy the games.
All were achieved to a large degree. By the end of the Games I had prayed with 20 different athletes – some of them several times. To pray with someone on the day of the most important competition was an immense privilege.
Stuart's Olympics in photos
Benjamin Boukpeti in action
Benjamin Boukpeti won Togo's only Olympic medal in their history in 2008 but could only manage 10th this year.
Getting the Togo kit ready.
Bamab Napo runs for Togo in the 100 metres
Photo: Mark Shearman
With our athletics coach
The athletes' dining room
Amazing what you can do with an orange!
Apparently you can see a yellow hockey ball best against a blue background
Chaunte Lowe in the High Jump, Photo: Martin Bateman
Three Christian medal winners in the 400 metres - Christine Ohuruogu, Sanya Richards-Ross and Deedee Trotter. Photo: Martin Bateman
Dressed for the Togo reception ceremony
Watching the marathon.
Amazing who you meet watching the marathon
Watching the rowing
Olympic Family Lounge from which I watched athletics
My office
Kellie Wells with her medal
The warm-up track, an excellent place to see athletes
The tunnel between the warm-up track and the stadium - holy ground!
Who can identify this track legend from a few years back
Vivian Cheruiyot celebrates - she won silver and bronze>