A total of 535 children and adolescent athletes participated in the Evangelical Olympics in Galicia, which reached its twenty-third edition on June 1.

They were celebrated, as in previous editions, in the athletic premises of the University of A Coruña, a city in northwest Spain.

On a sunny and windy day, the participants came from all over of Galicia (a Spanish region of 2.7 million people known internationally for being the final destination of the Camino de Santiago) to enjoy a time of sport and fraternal communion.

In this edition, 22 free evangelical churches of diverse backgrounds participated.

There was the collaboration of health personnel, sports judges and a large team of about 50 volunteers.

The atmosphere was festive and joyful for the participants, who ranged from 4 to 16 years old, as well as for the public who accompanied the athletes. The stands were packed, with relatives of the athletes and other church members applauding, cheering and singing along during the competitions.

Sport and values

As usual, the day began with the ‘marathon’ competition, in which all the children who attend the Olympics take part. This was followed by the high jump, long jump, shot put, and short races.

Esther Rodríguez, director and founder of the Evangelical Olympics in Spain, directed the development of the programme. As the events were completed, medals were awarded to the three best records, with bronze, silver and gold.

All participants also received a diploma, as well as a T-shirt with the Olympic slogan and the image of the mascot, which on this occasion was a squirrel.

The competition was close until the end, and the presentation of the trophies at the end of the event kept the participants excited. Six cups were awarded to the best classified, with the Iglesia Buenas Noticias Lugo (Good News Church of Lugo) obtaining the most points. They were followed in the ranking by Iglesia Unida de Vigo (United Evangelical Church of Vigo), Iglesia Buenas Noticias Ferrol (Good News Church Ferrol), Iglesia Evangélica de Marín (Evangelical Church of Marín), Iglesia Evangélica El Camino A Coruña (Evangelical Church The Way A Coruña) and Iglesia Evangélica Revive Cangas (Revive Evangelical Church Cangas).

There was also time for the traditional parade, in which the athletes, accompanied by their coaches, walked around the field led by a banner with the name of each of the participating churches.

Message and public witness

In a brief interview conducted by Beatriz Garrido, a professional athlete shared with the children the importance of sport to exercise healthy habits in life, and explained how in the spiritual life it is similar, given that we are in a race in which the most important thing is to be accompanied by Jesus.

The Olympics also closed with prayer, led by Pastor Marcos Zapata, who accompanied the children from his church from the stands. “The Olympics are a unique opportunity to unite us as God’s people”, said Zapata, who thanked God for the day.

Timoteo Figueirido, director of the Olympics in Galicia, expressed his gratitude for the celebration of the activity for another year, “even with many difficulties that arose, but thanks to God we were able to overcome them”, he explained.

The Olympics are also an evangelical testimony to the city and to the participants who, without being evangelicals, support, participate and collaborate. “This year’s judges were there for the first time and were impressed by the festive atmosphere and the familiarity that was in the air”, he told Spanish news website Protestante Digital.

The stadium staff also expressed their gratitude for the good behaviour of all those who attended. “It is a good witness and it is also the event that fills the stadium the most”, explained Timoteo Figueirido.

At around seven o’clock in the evening, the programme ended and the participants returned home, happy and looking forward to repeating the event next year.