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Teenage Olympic Skateboarder Shares the Gospel in American Sign Language

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A teenage athlete from Brazil used American Sign Language (ASL) to honor God and share the Gospel with the world after winning a medal for skateboarding at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the weekend, CHVN Radio reports.

A skateboarder for most of her young life, sixteen-year-old Rayssa Leal was thrilled to represent Brazil in the women’s street skateboarding category at this year’s Olympics in France. As a Christian, Leal wanted to thank God for her athletic gift but was reportedly told she could not verbally express her faith at the Olympics because France identifies as a secular country.

However, after winning the bronze medal for women’s street skateboarding on Sunday (July 28), Leal used ASL to sign the Bible verse John 14:6 which says: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”

In a statement to CNN reporters, Leal later said: “When I was very young, I dreamed of becoming a skateboard athlete. And here I am, with a second Olympic medal from the games. Once again, thank God I won a medal. I’m very happy to be here.

On her Instagram platform, Leal added: “On top of the world. All honor and glory be to God.”