Let the Games Begin

The 2024 Summer Olympics officially begin today. 

 Opening ceremonies begin at 1:30 p.m. Eastern. Over 10,500 athletes in 94 boats will parade down the Seine River to the base of the Eiffel Tower, where French President Macron will speak, and surprise celebrities will perform. Lebron James and Coco Gauff are Team USA’s flag bearers.

 Men’s *football* has already kicked off, with Team USA falling to France 3-0 on Wednesday. Later, in a game delayed by fan violence, an offsides call gave underdog Morocco the win over Argentina.

 Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee voted Wednesday for Salt Lake City, UT, to host the 2034 Winter Olympics… with strings attached. The U.S. must drop investigations into why 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs were allowed to compete in Tokyo and “respect” the World Anti-Doping Agency’s authority.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
The Olympics offer an opportunity to experience camaraderie with fellow fans and to enjoy the thrill of watching athletes do what God created them to do. As you watch athletes compete over the next two weeks, thank God that He also made you to do beautiful things, and pray that you’d bring Him glory in all you do. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” 
Ephesians 2:10 (CSB) (read full passage)