‘God’s love for me was my anchor and stability in the unpredictable world of sport’

Jemimah Wright (JW): You are an Olympian! What an achievement. How did you start out in rowing?

Debbie Flood (DF): I loved sport from a very young age, but I didn’t discover rowing until I was 17. I started on the rowing machine and found that I was really good at it – however, rowing on the water was much harder. It took time to understand all the technical skills involved, particularly the balance!

JW: You won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics – what did it feel like to compete in the Olympics, and become a medal winner?

DF: To compete in Athens – the home of the Games – was extremely special, and to win my first senior medal with some of my best friends in the quad was one of the highlights of my 15-year career. Brits are such amazing supporters; we were surrounded by a sea of British flags!

JW: At the Beijing Olympics in 2008 you won silver again. How did you deal with the competitiveness, and the disappointment of not reaching gold?

DF: We were so disappointed in that moment winning silver again. We had hoped for gold and, until you cross the line, you still believe you can do it! We just got overtaken in the closing stage of the race. I love competing and God gave me a real passion for my sport – but he also gave me perspective, knowing that he is the giver of the gifts. Being competitive means that the emotions of winning are very high, and the emotions of disappointment are very low. But God taught me over my years of rowing that my worth and value are not in results but in being a precious life made and loved by God as his child. His love for me is unchanging, regardless of results. This was my anchor and stability in the unpredictable world of sport.

God taught me over my years of rowing that my worth and value is not in results

JW: Did rowing feel like a calling – could you echo what Eric Liddell said in Chariots of Fire: “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure”?

DF: Yes, God certainly directed my path through rowing. My plan was to row for two years and then become a vet. God’s plans were very different but brought much joy as I journeyed with him through the ups and downs. Learning to have a thankful heart each day helped me to feel God’s pleasure and be aware of all he had given me, but there were a lot of days that it was also hard and exhausting!

JW: How did you become a Christian?

DF: At my local church youth group when I was 15. I suddenly realised that God wanted a relationship with me – I couldn’t earn this, or be good enough, but because of Christ’s death for me on the cross I could be reconciled to God, as I was made to be. What a precious day, and God has been at work in my life ever since.

JW: Can you share any stories of God being with you during training and competing?

DF: There are so many! Injuries were the hardest times yet also where God drew me close – giving peace as I gave my dreams and fears to him, enabling me to support my teammates even when I wasn’t able to compete. He helped me to apologise to coaches and teammates when I had overstepped in frustration, and experience times of joy when being able to race to the best of the abilities God had given me. He was my motivation when I was exhausted, because I did not want to waste what he had given me to do. Having faith conversations with teammates was also very special.

JW: What was the journey of transitioning out of being a professional athlete like and how did your faith help you with that?

DF: Transitioning out of full-time rowing was a huge change but by the end of my career God had gently helped me to understand that my identity was not in being a rower. He had grown my heart for people so much over the years; I want others to also know that they are precious and valuable to God regardless of circumstances and that he wants them to know him. I knew it was time to move onto what he had for me next. I had a passion for life and so felt ready to get stuck into whatever came my way. There is lots I miss about the sports’ environment, particularly that sense of team and shared drive, but I am thankful for all that God brought next.

JW: What is your role now?

DF: I now work part time for Christians in Sport, walking alongside other elite athletes, supporting them in their faith and in their sport. Christians in Sport supported me in this way through my 15 years and I am very grateful. I mainly work with rowers but am part of a team who covers other sports. Support can vary but includes offering time for athletes one-to-one to chat about life and sport, pray and read the Bible together. It is a privilege when there are opportunities for athletes to get together to encourage each other at a group Bible study or to share food and pray together. For athletes who are not yet Christians but are warm to the gospel, there are opportunities to engage and to encourage them on their faith journey as they seek truth. 

JW: Can you explain a bit of the history of Christians in Sport, and what they do?

DF: Christians in Sport began in 1976 after a handful of Christians were drawn together by their desire to live and share their faith in the world of sport. They committed to praying for a growth in sports fellowship across the nation and here we are today! It’s so incredible to see the blessings that came from that faithful few. Christians in Sport now supports over 10,000 Christians within the world of sport and over 80,000 people have heard the gospel in the last two years alone through various events run alongside churches.

JW: How should we pray for the Paris Olympics this year – and what female rower would you like to win gold?

DF: Please do pray that the Olympics and Paralympics will be a safe and special time for competitors and spectators across the weeks, that there will be much joy and celebration of the abilities that God has given these athletes, but that people’s eyes are lifted to see that life is much more and this points to our creator God. May the churches engage well around this time with outreach and utilise the resources Christians in Sport provide, including the Sports Mission Pack to point to Christ.

The female rower I would love to win gold is Georgie Brayshaw and her crew! I have seen her develop over her career and overcome many challenges. She is in the quad, which was the boat I raced in, and if they win gold, they will be the first ever Olympic gold in the quad for Great Britain. Go girls!

Find out more at christiansinsport.org.uk @christians_in_sport