Olympian Ryan Hall counts God as coach

Ryan Hall is the fastest American distance runner competing in the London Olympics and he says he owes it all to his omnipresent coach who has been there with him every step of the way.

“I’ll just be straight forward, my coach is God,” the 29-year-old Hall told CNN.

Last year, after finishing second in the 2011 United States half-marathon Championship, Hall was told to do a routine drug test. The form with the test had a space to fill in the name of the runner's coach.

"I saw the line, it said coach, it was blank, and I said, 'Well you know I have to be honest,' " Hall said, "So I put 'God' down and it turned into a big controversial thing."

"Now whenever I see that line I just leave it blank. I'll just let it slide by," he added.

Hall calls his method of training “faith-based coaching.” In London, he'll be putting his training to the test in the men's marathon.

Continue reading at religion.blogs.cnn.com

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Bill

Proud of you Ryan – Please continue to stand strong on what you believe – we all need that – thanks again, you've made my day.
Chris

What a selfish person thinking that God is going to help him beat other people. Is he "God's chosen one"? Why is his religion so special that he can defeat other people? Why does he bother training at all if god is helping him win?

Religion is ridiculous.
- Evermyrtle
  
  Selfish for giving GOD credit??? I must be one of the most selfish people in the world because I give GOD credit for everything good in my life. HE has never missed a beat, He is there with me in everything I have ever done in my life. In fact, HE is with me 365/24
- lambsev
  
  God is helping him win by helping him train! doh!
  and for you Chris: 2 Timothy 3:16
  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Paul F

1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
- lambsev
  
  And so you, as many have, wind up like me with a 3X heart bypass at 57? Or my pastor who had a stroke in his earlier 50's?
  The little profit can be much by keeping in a condition to SERVE God. But you also don't understand that the bodily exercise Paul refers to here is asceticism. It is not Olympic Sport, or professional sport at all, and it is not even the daily workout many enjoy. But I forgive your ignorance- go and:
  
  "Carefully and diligently study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ti&am… http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexic… http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexic…
  - Paul F
    
    IOW, you don't believe in a literal interpretation.
Cheryl K

Chris,

Really?! Come on–he is not saying that God is helping him to win. What he is saying is that he uses God's guidance in ALL aspects of his life. I don't expect you, as a Christian basher, to understand that. After all, you probably credit yourself with any accomplishment you have had–that is true selfishness!!!! Egotistical as well.
- lambsev
  
  I'll say God is helping him to win, no question. It wouldn't be the devil helping a man like this!
  God uses all thing for good for those who love Him and are called by Him. Even their trials and tribulations and defeats!
M. Veerman

Ryan Hall, I am very proud of you, believing in Our God. You do what is best for you and God is our best choice. I wish more people believe in Him and we will not be in bad shape. May God be always with you and with our Great Country!
God Bless America!!!!!!

MV