Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

American Olympians achieving podium positions in Paris include several Catholics who have consistently expressed their reliance on faith throughout their athletic careers.

Swimmer Katie Ledecky made U.S. history on August 1 by becoming the most decorated woman in Olympic history, winning her 13th Olympic medal—a silver—in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. Ledecky has been vocal about how her Catholic faith guides her life. Following the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, she shared with the Catholic Standard, the Archdiocese of Washington’s newspaper, that she prays the Hail Mary before each race to calm her nerves, a practice she has maintained since the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

"My faith remains very important in my life, especially the last two years," Ledecky told the Catholic Standard in 2021. She noted that watching livestreamed Mass celebrated by her godfather Jesuit Father Jim Shea at a parish in Charlotte, North Carolina, helped her through the pandemic. "My faith is strong, and I realized more how important that is," she said.

Ledecky, 27, holds eight gold, four silver, and one bronze Olympic medals. In Paris, she competed alongside Phoebe Bacon and Erin Gemmell—both alumnae of Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Maryland. Gemmell also medaled with Ledecky in the 4×200 meter relay. Both Ledecky and Bacon attended Little Flower School in Bethesda where both families are parish members.

Several U.S. Olympians competing in Paris share similar backgrounds of being raised Catholic or attending Catholic institutions. Gymnast Simone Biles has attributed her success to God and carries religious items like a statue of St. Sebastian and a rosary given by her mother during travels.

The high-flying gymnast won gold in women’s gymnastics all-around competition on August 1 and led the U.S. women to team gold on July 30. "I never thought I’d be who I am," Biles told Vanity Fair earlier this year, "but look at God’s blessings."

While Biles has been more private about her faith recently and diverged from church teachings on abortion access via social media posts in 2021, she has remained outspoken about mental health issues—a topic also addressed by U.S. bishops through the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign.

Following struggles with mental health during the Tokyo Olympics—where she experienced disorientation known as “twisties”—Biles credited routine care from her therapist for renewed confidence displayed during competitions in Paris.

Ryan Murphy secured a bronze medal in men’s 100-meter backstroke at these games. The Florida native emphasized his prayer life and spirituality's role when speaking to National Catholic Register back in 2016: "I’m a firm believer in God... My faith gives me comfort despite the outcome of a race."

Murphy garnered attention not only for his performance but also for his wife's sign announcing their expected child: “Ryan it’s a girl!” The couple married last September and expect their first child next January.

Murphy's devotion extends beyond competition; he described himself as having “a great devotion to St. Christopher,” frequently genuflecting after swims as seen during Rio de Janeiro's Olympics where he won three gold medals.

"I believe God has given me a great talent for which I’m eternally grateful," Murphy told Register then reaffirming his belief that God's larger plan supersedes any race outcome.