Spanish swimmer dedicates Olympic medals to Virgin Mary

Last updated on: August 17, 2012 at 10:04 pm by CNA Daily News

Spanish swimmer dedicates Olympic medals to Virgin Mary 2012-08-17T22:04:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Barcelona, Spain, Aug 17, 2012 / 04:04 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Spanish swimmer Mireia Belmonte offered her two silver medals from the London 2012 Olympic Games to Our Lady of Monserrat in Barcelona.

The 21-year-old – who won silver in the 800 meter free-style and the 200 meter butterfly – posed for a picture before the image of Our Lady of Monserrat and posted the photo on her Twitter account, which has grown from 7,000 followers to 56,000.

In an Aug. 4 press conference, Belmonte, the only Spanish swimmer to win two medals in London, said both were of “equal value” to her.

“One cost a little bit more effort than the other because it was a longer race,” she recalled. “But all of my rivals were very tough and before it starts you don’t know what is going to happen because everyone is very strong.”

Belmonte trains almost nine hours a day and said she plans to work hard to prepare for the world championships next year.

“I have never participated in such an important international competition here at home, and plus my family will be able to be there, since this time they couldn’t make it,” she added.

The swimmer was born in Badalona, Spain, in 1990. She began swimming at the age of four at the recommendation of doctors to help correct her sclerosis.

In 2007 she became the world champion in 400 meter free-style and the 400 meter medley, and she also won both races in the European Juniors Championship.

Belmonte told Europa Press she was not surprised by U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky’s gold medal victory in the 800-meter free-style, as American swimmers are more accustomed to competing before large crowds and under greater pressure.

Fifteen-year-old Ledecky also witnessed to her faith at the Olympics, saying she prays the Hail Mary before each race.

Europe

Previous Post

August 17, 2012

Pope sends heartfelt condolences for Ethiopian patriarch's passing

Next Post

August 17, 2012 Paul Ryan urges Catholics to act before religious freedoms erode

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who built an ark to survive the flood?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Moses Jacob Abraham Noah