At the Paris Olympics, people couldn't stop talking about how amazing 16-year-old Brazilian pro skater Rayssa Leal was. Her skateboarding skills were off the charts, and everyone also noticed how open she was about her faith.
During the women’s final, she took a moment to sign a Bible verse, John 14:6, into the camera, despite knowing that the Olympics frown upon religious expressions.
Her powerful gesture was a heartfelt expression of her Catholic faith. After winning a bronze medal, Leal expressed her gratitude, saying, “Once again, thank God I won a medal. I’m very happy to be here.”
Her message of faith stands out even more considering the controversial opening ceremonies, which included a parody of the Last Supper and caused criticism from figures like Bishop Robert Barron.
Leal's choice to use sign language to make a personal statement was pretty bold. It showed that athletes like her can still find ways to voice their beliefs even when there are strict rules in place.