CHEERING
THE SWIMMER IN

Topics: Acceptance; Church; Community; Encouragement; Perseverance; Weakness; Witnessing

References: Philippians 3:13–14; 2 Timothy 4:7–8; Hebrews 10:24; 12:1–3

Eric Moussambani of Equatorial Guinea was an unlikely hero of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The twenty-two-year-old African had learned to swim only nine months before the games, had only practiced in a twenty-meter pool without lane markers, and had never raced more than fifty meters. Through a special program that permits poorer countries to participate, even though their athletes don’t meet customary standards, Moussambani had been entered in the 100-meter men’s freestyle.

When the other two swimmers in his heat were disqualified because of false starts, Moussambani was forced to swim alone. He was reportedly “charmingly inept.” He never put his head under the water’s surface and flailed wildly to stay afloat. With ten meters left to the wall, he virtually came to a stop. Some spectators thought he might drown. Even though his time was more than a minute slower than what qualified for the next level of competition, the capacity crowd at the Olympic Aquatic Center stood up and cheered him on.

After what seemed like an eternity, the African reached the wall and hung on for dear life. When he had caught his breath and regained his composure, he said through an interpreter, “I want to send hugs and kisses to the crowd. It was their cheering that kept me going.”

—Greg Asimakoupoulos and Rubel Shelly, “Help for Long Race,” PreachingToday.com