Few events captivate my imagination like the Olympic Games. Among the myriad of inspiring stories, what follows is a lesson on perseverance and faith: John Stephen Akhwari is remembered not for winning a medal but for his remarkable determination during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Akhwari competed in the marathon, and partway through the race, he suffered a painful fall that severely injured his knee and shoulder. Most athletes would have withdrawn, but Akhwari persisted, hobbling along the course.
One hour and five minutes after the winner Mamo Wolde had finished, Akhwari entered the stadium, limping but resolute. The medals already distributed; the ceremony over. Battered and bruised, and with bloodied and bandaged leg, he crossed the finish line to the applause of the remaining spectators. When asked why he continued despite the injury, Akhwari simply replied, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”
This story of Akhwari reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s message in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, where he writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
our goal is not merely to finish but to run for the glory of God
Paul’s letters to Timothy offer us insights into the Christian journey. Paul, imprisoned and nearing the end of his life, writes to encourage Timothy to remain steadfast in his faith. He uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life—a race not merely run for personal glory but for the ultimate goal of serving Christ.
Paul emphasises the importance of endurance and faithfulness. Just as an athlete trains and perseveres despite hardships, as Christians we are called to remain committed to our faith and to what we have been called to do. The “crown of righteousness” represents the eternal reward for those who have faithfully served Christ.
Akhwari’s physical and mental determination to finish the marathon despite his injury exemplifies this teaching. He did not give up, despite the pain and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. His focus was not on the immediate suffering but on the greater purpose of completing what he had started.
Similarly, Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the ultimate prize. The Christian journey is filled with challenges, and there will be times of suffering and hardship. However, just as Akhwari finished his race, we too are called to persevere, keeping Christ as our focus and our anchor.
In our own lives, we face various trials and tribulations. There will be moments when the race seems too tough, and the temptation to give up is overwhelming. In those moments, let us remember the words of Paul and the example of Akhwari. We are not running this race alone, and our goal is not merely to finish but to run for the glory of God, serving Christ who sustains us.
So, as we run the race of faith, let’s adopt the same determination and purpose. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that as God’s children the Lord stands ready to welcome us with the crown of righteousness.
