LDS athletes in 2012 London Olympics
Image by Gonzolito
“And the people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land. They observed to keep..the sabbath day holy unto the Lord.”
Jarom 1:5
Perhaps the ancient American Nephites “waxed strong in the land,” because they kept “the sabbath day holy unto the Lord.” Likewise perhaps some of the strength LDS Olympians receive comes from not practicing sports on Sunday.
Of the 10,500 athletes competing in the 2012 London Olympics, at least 19 are Latter-day Saints.
LDS Athletes in the 2012 London Olympics
Breeja Larson
- Country: United States
- Event: Swimming
- Bio: Breeja Larson was born April 16, 1992 in Mesa, Arizona. Breeja is majoring in General Studies at Texas A&M. Breeja is one of seven sisters.
John Nunn
- Country: United States
- Event: Race Walking
- Bio: John Nunn was born February 3, 1978 in Durango, Colorado. John served a two-year LDS mission in Los Vegas. John became an Eagle Scout when he was 13 years old.
Tumua Anae
- Country: United States
- Event: Water Polo
- Bio: Tumua Anae was born Oct. 16, 1988 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Tumua studied broadcast journalism at the University of South California.
Sarah Robles
- Country: United States
- Event: Weightlifting
- Bio: Sarah Robles was born August 1, 1988 in Desert Hot Springs, California. Sarah has one arm shorter than the other and slightly crooked (Madelung’s deformity). Despite her arm deformity, Sarah can lift up to 568 pounds.
Arielle Martin
- Country: United States
- Event: BMX Cycling
- Bio: Arielle Martin was born in 1986 in Cedar Hills, Utah. Arielle studied exercise science at BYU.
Jake Gibb
- Country: United States
- Event: Beach Volleyball
- Bio: Jake Gibb was born February 6, 1976 in Bountiful, Utah. Jake played golf and basketball growing up, and then picked up volleyball in college. Jake studied business at the University of Utah. Jake served a two-year LDS mission in Costa Rica.
Russell Holmes
- Country: United States
- Event: Volleyball
- Bio: Russell Holmes was born January 7, 1982 in Anaheim, California. Russell enjoys volleyball, surfing and snowboarding. Russell studied sociology at BYU. Russell served a two-year LDS mission in London, England.
Rich Lambourne
- Country: United States
- Event: Volleyball
- Bio: Rich Lambourne was born May 6, 1975 in Louisville, Kentucky. Rich studied Japanese at BYU. Rich served a two-year mission in Hokkaido, Japan.
Becky Holliday
- Country: United States
- Event: Pole Vault
- Bio: Becky Holliday was born March 12, 1980 in Penryn, California. Becky studied psychology at the University of Oregon. Before beginning pole vaulting at age 16, Becky did gymnastics.
Jill Camarena-Williams
- Country: United States
- Event: Shot Put
- Bio: Jill Camarena-Williams was born March 2, 1982. Jill studied at Stanford for her undergraduate and BYU for her graduate studies.
Johanna Fuenmayor
- Country: Venezuela
- Event: Fencing
- Bio: Johanna Fuenmayor was born July 17, 1978 in Venezuela. Johanna began fencing at age 10.
Maria Gabriela Gascon
- Country: Venezuela
- Event: Fencing
- Bio: Maria Gabriela Gascon was born January 3, 1983 in Venezuela.
Rafael Alfaro
- Country: El Salvador
- Event: Swimming
- Bio: Rafael Alfaro was born in San Salvador, El Salvador. Rafael is studying business at Brigham Young University. Rafael has one brother and one sister.
Jason Smyth
- Country: Ireland
- Event: Paralympic Sprinter
- Bio: Jason Smyth was born July 4, 1987 in Derry, Northern Ireland. Stargardt’s disease has profoundly weakened Jason’s vision.
Valerie Adams
- Country: New Zealand
- Event: Shot Put
- Bio: Valerie Adams was born October 6, 1984 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Valerie can throw a shot put over 20 meters.
Hayley Palmer
- Country: New Zealand
- Event: Swimming
- Bio: Hayley Palmer was born May 8, 1989 in Cheltenham, England. Hayley began swimming with a local club at age 8.
Andrew Rutherfurd
- Country: Bolivia
- Event: Swimming
- Bio: Andrew Rutherfurd was born December 21, 1988 in Bolivia. Andrew served a two-year LDS mission in Monterrey, Mexico. Andrew is studying finance at BYU.
Celeste Brown
- Country: Cook Islands
- Event: Swimming
- Bio: Celeste Brown was born August 4, 1994 in Hornsby, Australia. Celeste teaches swimming.
Patricia Taea
- Country: Cook Islands
- Event: Sprinting
- Bio: Patricia Taea was born May 25, 1993 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Patricia likes to read, play rugby, travel and swim.
“God has given me so much and I honestly have to give back- like the parable you don’t just take it and run away right- you really need to use it for not only the benefit of yourself but also others.”
- Andrew Rutherfurd
Personal Notes: I believe everyone has a unique gift. As we strive to develop the gifts God’s given us, He can help us identify opportunities to bless and inspire those around us. Our hobbies and occupations can be expressions of love for the Lord and others.