The American swimmer, who led his team to a gold medal in the men’s 400-meter relay, said his Christian faith has given him peace in the midst of tough competition on the world stage. American Hunter Armstrong swam the third leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay on Saturday, one of the most-watched events at the Summer Olympics, as the U.S. narrowly beat Australia to win the gold medal. Armstrong’s time of 46.75 seconds was the fastest on the team, even faster than Leg 4 sensation Caleb Dressel. Swimming World Magazine They call him an “unexpected star.”
“I definitely had no expectations. I just went in and was going to give my all to these kids,” Armstrong said. “I knew I had to give my all for Caleb, so I was just happy I was able to do my job.”
It is Armstrong’s second Olympic gold medal, having also won gold in the 400-meter medley relay at the pandemic-delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The 6-foot-6 swimmer is a native of Ohio and competed at Ohio State University.
He says his faith drives him: His Instagram profile reads, “GOD FIRST!”
“That’s the first thing I want people to see and know about me,” Armstrong told Tim Ellsworth. Baptist Press“As you grow up, you have to get your priorities straight. God is my number one priority. I can’t survive without him. I can survive without swimming or being an Olympian or any of that stuff.”
Armstrong is a backstroke specialist. He previously held the world record in the 50-meter backstroke and won a gold medal at the World Championships. (At the Summer Olympics, only the 100-meter backstroke is contested, and he placed 11th in Paris.)
Armstrong told the Baptist Press that his faith has grown in recent months after the death of his grandfather and a painful breakup with his girlfriend.
“The biggest catalyst for change in your life is often pain,” Armstrong says. “Sometimes God puts you in a situation where you have no choice but to turn to Him.”
“That’s the biggest change I’ve made this year,” he added. “I made a promise (at the World Championships) that if God helps me get out of this situation, I’ll take it.”
His goal in Paris is simply to do his best, he told Baptist Press.
Many firsts 🇺🇸🥇
The U.S. team won its first gold medal of the Games in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay. #ParisOlympics!
📺: @NBCOlympics & @peacock
pic.twitter.com/w962AQE6ZO— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 27, 2024
“Of course I want to perform well for myself, my country and my teammates,” Armstrong said, “but even if I don’t win a medal or set a personal best time, I’ll come away knowing I did well for myself and for God.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Sarah Steer/staff
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
