Paralympian Doesn’t Let Athletics Become His Identity — Here’s Why
By Movieguide® Contributor
William Stedman is a four-time Paralympic track star for New Zealand, but more importantly, the athlete is a Christian who has allowed God to grow him through his years in the sports.
“I have seen God grow me a lot as a person over the last few years,” Stedman wrote in a letter to the Middleton Grange School. “Relying on God through the stresses and ups and downs of being a professional athlete has been so important to me. The environment can be very achievement driven, all about the results and how you perform.”
“For so many athletes, sport and their sporting achievements can become their identity,” he added. “The problem with this is that, like so many things in life, sport is very fickle. Injuries, sickness, poor results — the list of what can disrupt this is endless. For me, although the issue of identity can still be a struggle at times, having my identity in Christ means that although I may not always perform, my value is secure in Him. This has been so reassuring to me at times of stress in competition.”
One verse that has stood out to Stedman is Philippians 4:6-7, which reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“God doesn’t promise that things will always go well or according to plan, but he does promise peace,” he said.
While at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Stedman has already secured a silver medal for New Zealand.
“Will Stedman claims a stunning silver medal in the Men’s 400m T36 final to bank a fourth medal for the NZ Paralympic Team,” the Paralympic New Zealand social media page wrote.
“For Stedman it was the fifth Paralympic Games medal of his career and a third successive Paralympic Games medal in the Men’s 400m T36 after winning bronze at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games,” the outlet added.
He’s planning on competing again in Los Angeles in 2028.
“I think there’s a lot of room to go, especially in the long jump, I think there’s a lot of technical changes and perfection I can do,” he said.
Movieguide® previously reported on an Olympian who puts his relationship with Christ first:
Olympic swimmer Hunter Armstrong relies on his faith to get him through each day.
“Faith is my life,” Armstrong told Fox News. “Obviously, growing up in the church, going to church camps, all the normal stuff, but as I got older, I sort of drifted away from it — always a believer, but I wasn’t buying into it. I didn’t have a relationship with God, and that’s something I felt like I was taking advantage of Him for because I’d only remember about faith when I needed it, and that’d be in competition, when I’m stressed out or I’m worrying. That’s when I’d pray.”
The swimmer has since dedicated his life to Christ, praying in the good times and the bad.
“I don’t see myself in my day-to-day life as an Olympian,” Armstrong said. “But every day, I’m a Christian. When I’m competing, I’m a Christian Olympian.”
Armstrong took home a gold and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, and the swimmer continues to prioritize his faith.
