Mormon Olympians

Olympian Alicia Hollowell In fourth grade, Alicia Hollowell asked her parents for permission to join a recreational girls softball league. That decision changed her entire life. Today, Alicia is an alternate on the United States Olympic softball team. Alicia’s career since she began playing in fourth grade has been outstanding. Although her role in this […]

This biography originally appeared on LDS Living on August 10, 2016. Ambrose Gaines IV, better known by his friends as “Rowdy,” was one of the world’s fastest swimmers in the 1980s. A 22-time NCAA All-American who broke several world records from 1978 to 1984, no one would guess Gaines had a rough time with sports […]

This biography originally appeared on LDS Living on August 10, 2016. Antje Misersky grew up behind the Iron Curtain as an East German cross-country skier. When the German national cross-country team kicked her off the roster when she refused to take steroids, Misersky’s family became a target of government scrutiny and the teenager thought her […]

Mormon Olympian April Steiner Bennett April Steiner Bennett is from Mesa, Arizona, and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. She was born April 22, 1980, and in January 2008 married Cameron Bennett, who is a former ASU pole vaulter. April is a pole vaulter and four-time All-American. She was the 2003 SEC Outdoor […]

Arielle Martin, or Arielle Verhaaren, as she is also known was born in 1986. She is from Cedar Hills, Utah and is a United States BMX cyclist. She is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the Mormon Church.) During the World Championships held in Taiyuan, […]

Bill Schuffenhauer is a 6′, 220 lb. bobsleigh and skeleton competitor for the U.S.A.  He was born June 24, 1973, in Utah.  He lives in Ogden, Utah at the present time.  His adopted father used to call him ‘Skippy’, while his teammates now call him ‘The Rock,’ because he’s always quoting former professional wrestler Dwayne […]

Breeja (pronounced Bree—uh) Larson is an unlikely Olympian. She was born and raised in Mesa, AZ.  She didn’t start year-round club training & competition until her senior year of high school—just three years ago.  She did swim for her high school teams her freshman, junior, and senior years. So, prior to her senior year, her […]

Brickelle Bro, of Castle Rock, Colorado, is a 15 year old swimming sensation.  She  is one of 20 female swimmers to represent the United States in the Paralympic Games in London 2012, and she earned her place despite being born without feet.   Her first doctors said she would never walk, but new doctors thought otherwise, […]

Originally from Newbury Park, California, Casey Patterson stands at 6-foot-6 and dominates at volleyball. In the Rio 2016 Olympics, he teamed up with Jake Gibb for men’s beach volleyball. With his Olympic debut in Rio, Casey Patterson played volleyball for Brigham Young University from 1999 to 2005. Coming relatively late to beach volleyball, he made his […]

Celeste Brown, one of a dozen Mormon athletes, will compete in the 2012 Olympics, in London. [1] Each Mormon Olympian not only represents his or her country but also represents Christ as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the Mormon Church by some). These athletes include— Breeja […]

Charmian Purcell is used to making headlines as a basketball player in New Zealand. But this year she is also making headlines because she and teammate Nonila Wharemate, both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, refuse to play on Sundays. This is a particularly big issue because both are going to […]

Mormon Paralympian Chris Dodds Chris Dodds, who competed in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing on the goalball team, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when he was twelve. After losing his sight, he became a passionate player of goalball, something he had played while he was able to see. Goalball is a fierce sport developed specifically for those with […]

Chris Fogt was born 29 May 1983, and is a Utah native, currently living in Alpine, Utah.  He attended American Fork High School, and graduated from Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah with a degree in Business Management. He is a member of the the Alpine 4th Ward, Alpine Utah Stake of The Church of […]

Christian Niccum, an American Luger who has competed since 1998, was born 27 January 1978 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a member of the Cottage Lake Ward, Bothell Washington Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon” Church by the media and others). He resides near Woodinville, […]

David Bissett was born on 26 September 1979, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. He is a member of the Crystalridge Ward, Calgary Alberta Foothills Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon” Church by the media and others). He is a former Canadian football star (running back) at […]

Mormon Paralympian Eric Bennett Eric Bennett competed in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics as an archer. The Paralympics are held in the same country as the Olympics, in the following September. While they receive far less attention, the athletes are every bit as competitive and well-trained as their better-known counterparts. Bennet began using a bow and […]

Competing in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Canadian skeleton athlete Eric Neilson first tried the sport when he was 25 years old. Only three years later, he made the Canadian World Cup team and has since recorded several top-10 finishes. At 33 years old, he placed 13th in his Olympic run. According to his athlete […]

Erik Fisher Erik Fisher was born 21 March 1985 in Ontario, Oregon. He is an Olympic skier and a member of Black Canyon Young Single Adult (YSA) Branch, Middleton, Idaho Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon” Church by the media and others).  Nicknamed “the Flying […]

Among a handful of former BYU students vying for a spot on Team USA for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Taylor Sander, 24, recently won his ticket to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team. Sander, who joined the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team in 2014 as an outside hitter, was named 2014 USAV Men’s Indoor […]

Mormon Olympian Hayley Palmer Hayley Palmer is a member of New Zealand’s 2008 Olympic Swimming Team.  She competed in the 4×200m Freestyle Relay Race. Hayley was born on May 8, 1989, and currently lives in Herne Bay in Auckland, New Zealand.  According to most news reports, Hayley was born in Cheltenham, England, where she lived until 2007 […]

By Keith Brown Athletes who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have participated in several of the Olympic Games in many different events to include swimming, track and field, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, BMX racing, fencing, weight lifting, shot put, and volleyball, to name but a few. Each athlete goes through […]

Mormon Olympian Jake Gibb Jake Gibb took an unusual route to becoming an Olympic beach volleyball champion: He played golf and tried out for basketball (but was too short). It wasn’t until after he served a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Costa Rica that he and his […]

2016 Olympian, Jared Ward, can attribute his success as a marathon runner to his service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jason Smyth is a champion who has broken records worldwide. He is a sprinter who competes in T13 100m and 200m. His determination has made him a world champion in meets for those who are disabled—Jason is visually impaired—and in races for those without disabilities. He won two gold medals in the Beijing Paralympics, which […]

This biography originally appeared on LDS Living on August 10, 2016. Jean Saubert’s journey to join the Church starts with the story of Latter-day Saint Marvin Melville. Skiing was simply an exciting diversion and outlet for Melville as a boy, but after beating former Olympic racers to win the 1955 Snow Cup, he suddenly realized that […]

This year at the Olympics, Jessika Jenson finished fifth place in the Pyeongchang Games. After some hazardous weather, Jessika was able fight for her spot. Competing in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, American snowboarder Jessika Jenson competed in the first ever slopestyle event in the Olympics. Only 22 years old, Jessika loves outdoor adventures, including […]

Mormon Olympian Jillian Camarena Sometimes Jillian Camarena, a champion in the shot put event, thought she’d never make it to the Olympics. She actually placed third in the 2004 trials, which would normally be qualify her. But she didn’t meet the “Olympic A Standard.” This is a qualifying score set by the Olympic committees for […]

Jillian Camarena Williams was born in Woodland, California and started competing in shot put when she was in the seventh grade.  Her brother was a champion in high school and convinced her to give the sport a try. Jillian graduated from Stanford University in 2004, and since then has made shot put her career.  She […]

Johanna Fuenmayor is one of a dozen Mormon athletes, who have qualified to compete in the 2012 Olympics, in London. [1] Each Mormon Olympian not only represents his or her country but also represents Christ as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the Mormon Church by […]

Mormon Olympian Josh McAdams When Josh McAdams transferred to Brigham Young University, a college operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his coach decided he would be a natural for the little known sport of steeplechase. Josh wasn’t so sure, since his first try at it wasn’t very successful. However, he persevered […]

Mormon Olympian Lacey Nymeyer Lacey Nymeyer was the first member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics. She is a swimmer and took silver in the 4×1 freestyle relay with her United States team. Lacey told the Daily Wildcat: “I hold my faith very close […]

There are many things that could put Laura Berg in the news. She is a three time gold medalist in the Olympics. In 1996, she scored the first run of the winning Olympic game. She has won the gold at every Olympics she’s been to. But that’s not what’s giving her headlines at the 2008 […]

Finishing fourth all-around in the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials, 19-year-old Mykayla Skinner will go to the Rio 2016 Olympics as an alternate for Team USA. Although the top five gymnasts in the US join the Olympic Team, other factors play a part in choosing Team USA as well. While Mykayla finished fourth all around, the […]

Joining the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team, former BYU runner Jared Ward claimed the last spot on the team after finishing third in the Olympic qualifiers in February 2016. “I went as fast as I could, and I ran 4:50 that mile, and I’m sure that was my fastest mile,” Jared said about his sprint […]

Albino LDS track and field athlete Tyson Gunter qualified for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and will be competing in the 100m and 400m race. Hailing from Pocatello, Idaho, Tyson grew up with albinism, meaning his skin, hair, and eyes lack pigment. He also suffers from vision impairment, which many albinos experience because of the optical system’s […]

By Jan U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Nunn, a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints, will compete in the race walking event at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. As a participant of the Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), Nunn is based at Ft. Carson, CO. The WCAP has supported soldier […]

After 15-year-old Valerie Adams of New Zealand watched the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, she told her mother, Lilika, that she would become an Olympic competitor one day. A few months later, when her mother passed away, she resolved to keep that promise to her mother. “My mum was everything to me. She sacrificed for us […]

By Jan Sarah Robles, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (referred to as Mormons or LDS), will represent the USA at the Olympics this summer as the #1 ranked female weightlifter in the country. But it’s her life-long “Olympic spirit” that led to her success. This is what I’ve been […]

Mormon Olympian Lindsey Anderson Throughout high school, Lindsey Anderson suffered from a powerful fear of failure. She was a good, but not outstanding athlete, and only two colleges, both in her native Utah, offered her scholarships. Since that time, she’s come a long way, overcoming her fears and turning herself into a world-class athlete through […]

Mormon Olympian Maria Gabriela Martinez Gascon Born January 3, 1983, Maria Gabriela Martinez Gascon is no stranger to competing in the world of fencing.This 5’7” and 130 lb Venezuelan competes in women’s epee (pronounced “EPP-pay” – literally meaning “sword” in French). Among her accomplishments are placing 42 in the 2000/2001 NAC Division I/Veteran Women’s epee, […]

This biography originally appeared on LDS Living on August 10, 2016. “One of the greatest, if not the greatest, all-around athletes that has ever participated in the sport of wrestling. As wrestling machines go, his design is close to perfect.” That’s how 16-time National Wrestling Champion Wayne Baughman described Mark Schultz. Born October 26, 1960, […]

This biography originally appeared on LDS Living on August 10, 2016. The first time Marsha Mark-Baird ran competitively, she was in the sixth grade. Growing up in Trinidad, she had participated in other races held in dead-end streets near her home. But that time was different. That time, her father would buy her a bicycle […]

Mary Killman, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a world class “synchro” competitor.  Having grown up in Oklahoma and Texas, she was named the USA Synchro Athlete of the Year for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Mary competes in duet synchro and is partnered with Maria Koroleva.   They […]

What would happen if you woke your husband up one morning in 2005 and told him you intended to claim a spot on the 2008 United States Olympic weightlifting team? Fortunately for Melanie Roach, her husband Dan Roach took it all in stride and supported her just as she had always supported him. Melanie isn’t […]

Mormon Olympian Michele Despain (Luger) Formerly a gymnast and ballroom dancer at Provo High School in Utah, Despain, 21, who now calls Orem, Utah, her home, decided to make the switch to a winter sport at the urging of her boyfriend and his father — both luge competitors and previous Olympians. Michele holds dual citizenship—U.S.A. and Argentina.  […]

By Rebecca Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as Mormons) are well known for their outstanding achievements in many facets of life to include business, education, politics, and sports. In the sports arena, there have been several Mormon athletes who have earned their spot on Olympic sports teams, […]

The dictionary defines the word integrity as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” Therefore, a person who posesses moral rectitude, is a person who has the quality or state of being correct in judgment or procedure. In other words, that person is a person who has high moral standards […]

By Rebecca A young Mormon Olympian girl is trying out for the London Paralympic Games. [1] Amy Chapman is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the Mormon Church by some). “Amy was born with fibular hemimelia, which means her legs had no fibula bones and were basically useless […]

Mormon Olympian Natalie Purcell Natalie Purcell, daughter of Brian and Ingrid Purcell and a member of New Zealand’s 2008 Olympic women’s basketball team (Tall Ferns, nickname Kiwis), comes from a family of basketball players. Her older sister, Charmain, also plays for the Tall Ferns. Prior to becoming part of the Olympic team, Natalie played for […]

Mormon Olympian Niklas Arrhenius Making the Olympic team in Sweden is much harder than making it in the United States, but Niklas Arrhenius was up to the challenge. Although born in the United States-his mother’s country-he holds duel citizenship in Sweden, his father’s country. He also served a two year mission for the Church of […]

Noelle Pikus-Pace, born 8 December 1982 in Provo, Utah, is an American skeleton racer. She is the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Mountain View High School in 2001. She has always been very competitive in sports, and while in high school she competed in soccer, basketball, softball, track and field, bobsled and skeleton. […]

Mormon Olympian Nonila “Noni” Wharemate Born January 17, 1982, 5’7” tall, 148 pounds, Noni Wharemate plays guard for the New Zealand women’s basketball team (nicknamed the Kiwis). She advises young woman pursuing Olympic dreams to remember that nothing can replace the need for hard work. Noni feels that many wrongly assume that the only way […]

When Kate Hansen placed 10th in luge in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, she also managed to dance her way into viewers’ hearts around the world with her positive attitude and energy. Her famous warm-up dances made global news and made her a fan favorite. However, in a TEDxTalk given at Brigham Young University in March, current BYU […]

Paul Schulte, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a wheelchair basketball Olympian. Originally Paul had said no to wheelchair basketball. After suffering a spinal cord injury in a car accident at the age of 10, the young sports enthusiast thought that his dreams of playing sports was over. It […]

Peter Vidmar, born June 3, 1961, was the first U.S. male gymnast to ever win an Olympic medal.In fact, as captain of the 1984 men’s gymnastics team, Peter led them to their first gold medal as a team as well as earning a gold medal for his perfect pommel horse routine and the all-around silver […]

Former Provo High football star Maka Unufe recently scored a spot on the USA Rugby’s Olympic sevens team and will compete in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, starting on August 5, 2016. After playing football in high school, the Provo native switched to playing rugby and joined the United Rugby Club and Utah Warriors. For the past […]

Brigham Young University, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, is sending two swimmers to the Olympics in 2012. Members of this church are often referred to as Mormons. Rafael Alfaro will compete in the individual medley for El Salvador and Andrew Rutherford will compete in the 100 freestyle for Bolivia, where […]

Mormon Olympian Rich Lambourne At 33, Rich Lambourne made his first appearance at the Olympics in Beijing. He was the designated libero (defensive specialist) for the United States indoor volleyball team. Rich started his sports career as a baseball player, but changed sports in high school because his friend was a volleyball player and they wanted to play […]

Talented and competitive surfer, seventeen-year-old Jordy Collins from Carlsbad, California, is moving up the ranks in the local San Diego contest scenes. He is currently sponsored by Hurley, the clothing company, and is rapidly becoming one of the country’s rising young surfers. Some of his past sponsors include Famous Surf, Futures, Borst Surfboards, Surfrider, and […]

This biography originally appeared on LDS Living on August 10, 2016. Before becoming a colonel in the United States Air Force and a member of the Church, Robert Detweiler grew up in Zeigler, Illinois. After graduating from high school in the 1940s, Detweiler attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he became a member of the […]

Rowena Bright More About Rowena Bright Hometown: Cooma, Australia Career: Placed 24th-combined in the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics -Took 14th-combined in the St. Anton World Championships in 2001-Placed 10th-combined and 16th the in the slalom at the World Junior Championships in 2000 Continental Cup Series winner in slalom in ‘00 and ‘01. Rowena Bright, […]

By Rebecca Russell Holmes is one of a dozen Mormon athletes, who have qualified to compete in the 2012 Olympics, in London. Each Mormon Olympian not only represents his or her country but also represents Christ as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the Mormon Church […]

Mormon Olympian Ryan Millar For Ryan Millar, the Olympics are a familiar experience. The Beijing Olympics were his third Olympics. Before winning the Gold with the U.S. Olympico volleyball team at Beijing, Ryan had never won an Olympic medal.  He came to the Beijing games with a championship player’s understanding, but he is also a former […]

Mormon Olympian Shauna Rohbock U.S. bobsled driver Shauna Rohbock was preparing for a World Cup race in Lake Placid in 2003 when she got the call. Her country needed her, not on an icy track in New York, but also on the ground in Iraq. Shauna is in the National Guard. Shauna was born in […]

Steve Nyman Steven Nyman was born 12 February 1982 in Provo, Utah. He is a World Cup alpine ski racer on the U.S. Ski Team . He was formerly a slalom skier, but he is now a speed specialist, competing mainly in downhill, super G, and combined. Nyman is a member of the Riverwoods Ward, […]

Mormon Olympian Tairia Flowers Tairia Flowers has an extremely impressive resume, suitable for a member of the Olympic softball “Dream Team.” The American team has won every gold since softball was added to the Olympics. They’ve won three times in a row and made a good run for a fourth, losing in a game against […]

Torah Bright Torah Jane Bright, an Australian professional snowboarder, was born to Peter and Marion Bright on 27 December 1986 in Cooma, New South Wales. She is the fourth of five siblings. Her parents named her Torah after her mother learned that in addition to a reference to the first 5 books of the Bible […]

When Tumua Anae turned eight-years-old, she began swimming competitively and dreaming of becoming an Olympian. In 2012, that dream came true, except that she is competing on the 2012 London Olympics Water Polo Team. Her sophomore year at Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California, she decided swimming was boring, although she still […]

If you saw the 2008 Beijing Olympics or the 2012 London Olympics, you may remember the New Zealand shot putter Valerie Adams for her biceps or height. At 6 ft 4 in and 260 lb, Valerie Adams stands out from the crowd. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Valerie consistently ranks among the best women shot putters in the […]

Mormon Olympian Werner Hoeger (luge) With less than 10 days left before Torino, 52-year-old Werner Hoeger was back home in Boise, Idaho, instead of being at one of only 16 luge tracks in the world. Resting for a few days, the soon-to-be two-time Olympic athlete was at home reveling in what he misses most during […]