Richard Chambers
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Source: unedited from www.christianity.com
Northern Ireland’s Richard Chambers first got into a rowing boat at the age of 14. Twelve years later he’s going for gold in the London Olympics. Chambers concedes he was never any good at the typical school sports such as rugby, cricket or football, but was hooked as soon as he tried rowing. Addicted to the sport, he got better and better over the years, and found himself in the GB rowing squad. He has competed all over the world, competing in the Men’s Lightweight Four, where he’s won two World Championships. However, in Beijing his boat struggled, finishing fifth in the final. Since then he’s had injury problems which he has now overcome. Since last year he has been competing in the same boat as his younger brother, Peter. His faith is important to him and something he tries to bring out through his sport: ‘I’m a Christian in the rowing team and that’s how I want to be recognised. Being a Christian in Team GB has its difficulties, but knowing God is always there supporting and helping me is great.’ Chambers helps out at his local church, but overseas training means he misses out for long periods of time. While training, he regularly meets with other Christians on the team. He says he tries (but admits he often forgets) to pray before races, but stops short of asking for victory. Instead he asks for God’s help in performing to the best of his ability. As the 2012 games approach, he wants Christians to pray for him and other believers on Team GB. ‘Pray for us as Christians to honour God through the sport we do, but also that we’d use it as an opportunity to show the world that there’s something more to life than the games.’ Chambers won silver at a World Cup regatta in Belgrade at the start of the season. It leaves him and his team with a little bit of work to do if they want to make one more step up the podium. Richard Chambers (www.christianity.com) |
