An interesting story has come out of the Paris Olympic Games. Two athletes are complaining that their medals have begun to discolor. American skateboarder Nyjah Huston and British swimmer Yasmin Harper have both posted pictures of their tarnishing bronze medals.
In response to the claims, Paris officials have released a statement saying that they will work with affected athletes to ensure they receive a replacement medal swiftly.
“Paris 2024 is working closely with the Monnaie de Paris, the institution tasked with the production and quality control of the medals, and together with the national Olympic committee of the athlete concerned, in order to appraise the medal to understand the circumstances and cause of the damage. The medals are the most coveted objects of the Games and the most precious for the athletes. Damaged medals will be systematically replaced by the Monnaie de Paris and engraved in an identical way to the originals.”
Imagine the disappointment of training for years, competing against the best athletes in your sport under the spotlight of the Olympics, and winning a medal - only to see it tarnish before the games are finished!
This story reminded me of the admonition given by Paul to the Corinthians. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:24-25).
The ancient athlete did not win a medal. He was crowned with a wreath made of pine or parsley. By the time the wreath was placed on the champion’s head it had already begun to wither! The athlete competed for the honor of representing his home. He would be honored at the games and welcomed home as a hero.
The modern Olympic athlete wins a medal (some countries give their winning athletes gifts and financial awards). These medals will last longer than a wreath, but they will eventually perish (2 Pet. 3:10-12). In contrast, the prize obtained by the faithful Christian is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4).
Not everyone can be a world champion athlete. It takes natural ability, a competitive mindset, and years of unimaginable training. However, the imperishable wreath of heaven is available to “whosoever” wants it.
Christians are told to put forth the same amount of spiritual effort as an Olympic athlete does in their training. We must discipline our bodies and bring them into subjection (1 Cor. 9:27), fighting and overcoming desires and temptations, to run our spiritual race and win. “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8).
The time we spend studying and meditating on the Scriptures, opening our hearts in prayer to God, assembling to worship with faithful Christians, struggling to conquer sinful habits, sharing the gospel with the lost, bearing one another’s burdens, encouraging our brethren to run their race to win, etc., can be considered part of this spiritual training or exercise unto godliness.
One day our life’s work will be finished and forgotten. One day this earth will be destroyed. What then? Are we laying up treasures in heaven or on earth? Like Olympic medals, our earthly treasures will eventually fade away and be no more. Go for the imperishable crown!