Winter Games Chaplaincy 2010

March 4 update: The Winter Olympics Final Day

2010-03-04T10:51:00.001-08:00

The Winter Olympics Final Day

All of Canada was ready for the final show down for Men’s Ice Hockey. Early in the day people were heading to the arena (if they scored a ticket in the Olympic Ticket Lottery), the big screen areas or other places to gather and cheer on their idols. I watched the game on TV with friends in the Olympic Village as the broadcast was shown at many locations throughout the OV. Many said that the Final was the best Hockey Game ever at the Olympics. Down 2-1 the USA pulled their goalie and tied the score with 25 seconds remaining. All of Canada was shocked as the game went into overtime. Sidney Crosby scored the Golden Goal after about 7 minutes of OT. All of Canada (they invented Hockey) celebrated their most important of 14 Gold Medals. Hockey Medals for Men and Women were the same: Canada, USA, Finland. I enjoyed seeing the WO HK final and the Canada Slovakia Men’s Semi Final, as well and many of the preliminary round games.

Later in the day, I was given the opportunity to march into the Arena with the athletes and Olympic Delegations. I had been able to give free tickets to dozens of my friends, AIA teammates, and fellow chaplains over the course of two weeks. We saw some great events and were able to interact with the Olympians attending those events (we sat in a special section for the delegations). But the best was about to take place. I was able to walk in with one of the delegations and 8 of the chaplains were able to march in for the Closing Ceremony. What a thrill to be part of the party. After a great celebration of the Olympics and Canada, the delegations all went down on to the floor of the Arena for a great Rock concert. After it was over, we got back on the buses for the OV, thanking the Lord for the conversations we had during the waiting period before we walked in, as well as all the interactions we had with the Olympic Family the month of February.

Monday morning, I packed up and said good bye to my gracious host family, Horst and Wally, who had cared for me for 3 weeks, my wife, Noreen, for a week, and my More Than Gold friends Sergei and Dima for five days. I dropped Sergei (Ukraine) and Dima (Kazakhstan) off at the McDonalds near the Olympic Village, where my More Than Gold Canada friend Jack met them. This week they return to their countries after two weeks of meetings and seeing the MTG outreaches at the Winter Games. There was also a group of church leaders from London learning from the Vancouver experience how the Christian community can serve the Olympics with volunteers, providing information centers, free water, tea and coffee, or providing housing for some of the athletes’ families.

I stopped into the OV for one last time and was able to get a few T shirts and hats that were marked down to normal prices. I was hoping to find some of the famous red Canadian Olympic mittens, but they were sold out in every store in the region. Many friends requested these. Sorry I was not able to get them. I dropped off presents at the KAZ and BLR offices and said my last goodbyes in Vancouver. One last McDonalds coffee and I was on my way to Seattle.

Thursday, my wife, Noreen and I fly to Moscow. I will join the USA Freestyle wrestling Team for the World Cup in Moscow and then fly down south for dual meets in Nalchik and Vladikavkas. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

(click on any photo above to see photo album)

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Carl's blog: http://carlaia.blogspot.com/

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/
Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/

Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Saturday, Feb 27 update: Belarus free style, Saturday Chaplain Team

2010-02-28T02:35:00.002-08:00

Some more photos to enjoy: Belarus Free Style Team and Saturday's Chaplain Team

(Click on any photo above to see the photo album)

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Carl's blog: http://carlaia.blogspot.com/

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Friday, Feb 26 update: More photos

2010-02-27T00:49:00.002-08:00

Slideshow with various photos from the Games:

(click on any photo above to see the photo album)

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Carl's blog: http://carlaia.blogspot.com/

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Friday, Feb 26 update: Women's Hockey, Belarus Gold, Meetings with Coaches

2010-02-26T08:11:00.004-08:00

This afternoon the USA Women lost a tough Hockey Game for the Gold to the Canadian Team 2-0. About 18,000 mostly Canadian fans filled the area. I was with 2 other Americans and 3 Canadians enjoying a great game in the Arena.

I had to leave the game a few minutes early to catch a bus from the Olympic village to the Free Style Ski Aerials. Belarus had three of the twelve in the finals. Canada and USA were in the mix for a medal. It came down to the last jump and Belarus brings home their first ever Gold from the Winter Games. They have a complete set of Gold, Silver and Bronze this year. I was with the team celebrating a great victory. USA was 2nd, China 3rd.

I have had great chances to meet with athletes and coaches the past couple of days. Slovenia, Moldova, Hong Kong, Austria, Russia, Canada, USA, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Australia to name a few. It is great to be here. Thanks for your prayers.

(click on any photo above to see the photo album)

Click on the link below to see a video news interview I did:
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/February/Missionaries-Spread-Good-News-at-the-Olympics/

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Carl's blog: http://carlaia.blogspot.com/

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Thursday, Feb 25 update: Hockey, Aerials, Olympic Village Mayor

2010-02-25T02:29:00.001-08:00

Dima from Kazakhstan and Sergei from Ukraine have been in More Than Gold meetings all week in preparation for Major Sports Events in 2011 and 2012 in their countries. Today we met with one of the KAZ leaders to discuss how Dima and his network of friends in KAZ can provide volunteers for the Winter Asian Games a year from now.

In Men's Hockey, the USA got by a tough Swiss team and Canada dominated Russia. Finland and Slovakia also move into the semi-finals. I went to see the Freestyle Skiing Women's Aerials Finals. Australia got gold with China taking silver and bronze. Belarus had to settle for fourth and eighth. Again I met Canada's Man in Motion, Rick Hansen, who is one of the Olympic Village Mayors. Hansen, who was paralysed from the waist down after a car accident when he was 15, became a Canadian icon during his Man In Motion tour, which started on March 21, 1985. He covered 40,000 kilometres in 34 countries by wheelchair to raise money for spinal cord injury research.

(click on any photo above to see the photo album)

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Wednesday, Feb 24: photos with Team Belarus

2010-02-24T00:45:00.000-08:00

Team Belarus

(Click on any photo above to view the photo album)

In HIS grip,
Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Monday, Feb 22 update: Skiing and Knowing God

2010-02-23T10:54:00.000-08:00

Monday was a busy day in the Olympic Village and at events. I was able to give tickets to co-workers and friends for four Men's Ice hockey games and also able to go to see the Men's Freestyle Skiing Qualification Round, with two other chaplains and sit with the Belarus Delegation. USA, Canada, Switzerland and Belarus all qualified one or more of their skiiers. Three of the BLR athletes finished in the top 12 but their number one skier (ranked first in the world) lost a ski on the second landing and will miss the final. Amazing sport. I am better built for Freestyle Wrestling then Freestyle Skiing.

Sunday, I was glad to see a couple of the athletes who had told me last week that they wanted to know God in a personal way. We had a nice discussion about the importance of faith. They flew out yesterday and I was able to say good bye to their coach (whom i have known since Nagano 1998) as well as his sportsmen.

Please pray for the many skiiers and skaters who have finished and are already heading home. Pray for those who will compete this week, for the Olympic Family and also the spectators and Vancouver communitiy (our hosts).

In HIS grip,
Carl DambmanPhilippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Pictures: Vancouver Olympic Cauldron

2010-02-22T01:45:00.000-08:00

All photos courtesy of HKolper, Canada

Photo 1: Olympic torch cauldron

Photo 2: Olympic torch cauldron (close-up)

Photo 3: Olympic torch cauldron (night view)

Sunday, Feb 22 update: the power of prayer and selflessness

2010-02-21T21:13:00.000-08:00

Via another chaplain:

Hello Friends

I haven't seen a new post on Steve's blog today (http://stevesolympicblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/meaning-of-it-all.html) but expect one soon. You may have seen our good friend Lyndon Rush, 3rd after the first run in bobsled, and in pushing to the limits crashed in the second run. When I asked Steve what his own first thought was as he saw Lyndon's sled hurtling down the track upside down, he just said "broken". Lyndon has been faithfully attending Bible studies at the Olympic village, bringing his teammates, and trusting God. Pray that he will continue to trust God as he now responds to this disappointment and prepares for the 4 man race coming up. Praise God that Lyndon and his brake man Liselles were not seriously injured.

A look at Lyndon: the morning before the race Steve texted Lyndon to tell him he was praying for the upcoming race. Lyndon responded by asking Steve to pray for one of his teammates who is searching spiritually at this time. And last night on national TV when the announcer said it was a bad day for them, Lyndon said - No, it's a good day as one of our teammate's wives had a baby. In a world where we often think top athletes have to be so self focussed to succeed, here on one of the biggest days of his life Lyndon is putting others ahead of himself!

Also pray for our friend Cindy as she races the 1500m today in speedskating. Last night on prime time they showed the story of a family tragedy that deepened Cindy's faith. It was a great testimony of praise to God. "Speedskating is important, but not as important as my family and my faith" Cindy said in referring to God miraculously healing her sister after a car accident. Praise God!

Please pray for the girls and I as we travel to BC tomorrow. I won't be sending any more reminders about the blog but ask that as God puts us on your heart you would pray and check every so often for updates of specific prayer items and Steve's perspective.

Thanks for your encouragement and prayer.

DEB

In HIS grip,
Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Funeral for Georgian Luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili

2010-02-20T23:48:00.002-08:00

Thousands gather for somber ceremony
Associated Press

BAKURIANI, Georgia -- A nation that had hoped to watch one of its most promising young athletes compete in the Olympics gathered instead Saturday to mourn him, more than a week after the luger was thrown to his death in a practice run at the Vancouver Games.

Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, died after slamming into a steel pole on the luge course hours before the opening ceremony. He lost control of his sled during a training run, shot off course and slammed into a trackside steel pole at nearly 90 mph.

Thousands of mourners flocked Saturday to the yard of his family's two-story brick home for a traditional funeral feast. Inside, the body lay in a coffin, surrounded by Orthodox Christian icons and burning candles.

A small choir sang Georgian chants and a portrait of the athlete hung on the wall.
His father, David Kumaritashvili, stared at the portrait somberly and said: "I wanted to throw a wedding feast for you. Instead, we have a funeral."

The luger is to be buried in the cemetery of a tiny church in the snowy alpine village, Georgia's top winter sports retreat. President Mikhail Saakashvili was expected to attend the funeral. Before the funeral, family and friends poured red wine in the grave as part of the burial rite in this Caucasus Mountains nation with millenia-old winemaking traditions.

Kumaritashvili's friends and family said that despite his age, he was an experienced athlete who came from a dynasty of lugers. One of his relatives pioneered the sport in Georgia, and his father and two uncles won multiple awards in the sport in Soviet and international championships.

Kumaritashvili participated in two World Cup competitions and was regarded as one of the country's most promising athletes.

An investigation found that Kumaritashvili was late in coming out of the next-to-last turn and failed to compensate. But his family and others have insisted he was experienced, and have blamed his death on the course's design.

Concerns about the course had been raised for months. Many worried that the $100 million-plus venue was too technically demanding, and that only Canada's sliders would have enough time to adapt to it during practice. Kumaritashvili had completed only 26 runs on the Whistler course, while Canadian lugers ran the track hundreds of times.

In his hometown, the athlete was a hero, especially to the children who looked up to him.

Neighbor Dmitry Laliyev, 4-years-old, had asked Kumaritashvili to bring him a toy rifle back from Canada. The athlete's parents found the toy in Nodar's luggage after his death and gave it to Laliyev.

The boy played with the toy Saturday among the crowd of mourners.

"Nodar brought me this," the boy said, pointing at the plastic rifle.

The boy's father, Gogi Laliyev, said when the athlete traveled he always brought home presents for Dmitry.

"I told Dmitry, 'Nodar promised to get you the rifle, so he got it for you,' " Laliyev said, trying to hold back his tears.

AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov

David Kumaritashvili holds a photo of his son, Nodar,

at his funeral Saturday in Bakuriani, Georgia.

Saturday, Feb 20 update: Olympic Village, Medal Ceremonies

2010-02-20T23:44:00.000-08:00

Friday was a great day with many opportunities to see friends in the Olympic Village, at the Belarus-Sweden Men’s Ice Hockey Game, around sunny Vancouver and at the Russky Dom (Sochi 2014 meets Vancouver. Several friends told me they saw me on TV the night before at the Medals Ceremony wearing my retro 1980s USA warm up. Noreen and I had front row tickets and enjoyed hearing the American National Anthem several times that evening.

I sat with the Belarus Delegation and cheered on the Hockey Team, but they could not quite repeat their amazing upset of Sweden in the 2002 Salt Lake Games. They lost 4-2. Belarus won two medals and Kazakhstan a silver medal in the Biathlon on Thursday, so the leaders of both delegations are happy, with hope for more in days to come. Belarus skier Alla Tsuper (2002 Gold Medalist) is leading the pack today in Freestyle Skiing. We hope she finishes well tonight.

After dinner with More Than Gold friends, Noreen and I visited the Russky Dom where I was able to meet several friends (Moldovan Olympic President, Russian Chief of Mission from 2002 Salt Lake Games, and coach of Kazakhstan Speed Skaters). Great place to meet.

Noreen left early this morning with AIA USA friends and is back in Seattle. It was great to have her here for the week. Please pray for the athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers.

(click on photos above to see more)

For more updates and photos, please check out my Olympic Blog at: http://carlaia.blogspot.com

For inspiring stories from Olympic athletes, check out http://www.beyondtheultimate.com

In HIS grip,
Carl DambmanPhilippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Friday, Feb 19 update: Web Links and Skating Rinks

2010-02-19T06:07:00.002-08:00

Saturday morning in Vancouver. The past couple of days have been filled with divine appointments and great opportunities to share the Olympic spirit with the millions here from around the world. My role as official chaplain in the Vancouver Olympic Village is primarily to serve the athletes and officials who come to the Multi Faith Centre which is located in the center of the village. This past Wednesday was the start of Lent, so there were services in the Centre for the Italian, German and Polish delegations in addition to the daily catholic and protestant worship times. Some of the teams (Italy, Germany, Finland, Austria, Russia) bring chaplains with their delegations. The Multi Faith Centre also provides chaplains from Vancouver if needed. There are many on the team of international chaplains who specialize in sport ministry. Our job is to respond to the spiritual needs to serve the village. Many of the Olympic Family continue to come to the chapels in both villages to sign the Memorial Book for the Georgian Luge athlete Nodar. Please continue to pray.

This is my fourth Winter Olympics as an official chaplain, so it is a place of many reunions as I see athletes who are now coaches and Olympic Team Leaders whom I know from the past games. I have many friends from Belarus, Kazakhstan, USA, Canada and Russia here. Please pray that I will be an encouragement to them as they serve their teams and compete.

My wife Noreen and I are enjoying the festivities at the events and around this beautiful city. I am meeting friends from AIA Canada and USA who are here. I am able to provide some free tickets to events, so I am a popular guy. McDonalds provides food for the athletes of the world and the over 20,000 volunteers. Also near Sochi 2014 Russky Dom there is a McDonalds which is a popular meeting place, with many TVs inside showing the games. Another meeting place near the village is Mario’s (Italian Ice Cream).

After cheering on the USA Women in their Ice Hockey victory over Finland. Noreen and I had tickets for the Medal Ceremony. We sat next to some of the USA speed skaters. I knew the coach from the past three Olympics. A great day of medals for Canada and USA. I am on my way to cheer for Belarus men’s Hockey. Thanks for your prayers.

(click on any photo above to see all photos)

Here is an article from the Vancouver Sun about the head chaplain and the multi faith centre:

http://communities.canada.com/VANCOUVERSUN/blogs/thesearch/archive/2010/02/18/beyond-belief-pentecostal-heads-multifaith-winter-games-chaplaincy.aspx

Also, American Shani Davis Wins Speedskating Gold, Chad Hedrick Takes Bronze

In HIS grip,
Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Wednesday, Feb 17 update: Womens Hockey, Fellow Chaplains, Follow-up

2010-02-17T00:50:00.002-08:00

My wife Noreen came from Seattle with four other AIA staff friends. She arrived in time on Valentine’s Day to attend the Pairs Figure Skating Short Program. Our friend Carolyn Lamphere was able to use the third free ticket I received. The Chinese skated great, the Russian as always showed grace and skill, but one fell.

Afterwards we met some other Christians from the USA that are at the games sharing their faith. Lots of ministry teams are here reaching out to the visitors and fans. AIA Canada is also working with a half dozen local churches reaching out to their community and to the fans from around the world who have come to Vancouver.

Monday, I received three Ice Hockey tickets for the Women’s game between Canada and Switzerland. My Canadian Host family and one of the Canadian Chaplains in the Olympic Village had a great time cheering their team on to a 10-1 victory. I enjoyed some relaxing time with Noreen walking on the beach and then down town near the Olympic flame with our AIA USA and Europe friends.

Tuesday, I got a phone call that my friends had 2 USA Russia Women’s Ice Hockey Tickets. I went to the game with former Pro Ice Hockey player (USA and Sweden) and Olympic village Chaplain, Paul. (Christianity Today article about chaplain, Paul Kobylarz) We are good friends from many years of sport ministry, so we enjoyed the game together as the USA dominated with their speed 13-0. Tuesday is the last day before Lent-called Fat Tuesday.

Tomorrow there are many Catholic Services scheduled for different delegations. Several leaders from the Russian delegation came to the chapel Tuesday to see if the facility is appropriate for the Russian Team Orthodox Priest to conduct a service for their delegation. There are many athletes coming to the chapel to sign the Book of Remembrance honoring the Georgian Luge Athlete killed on his training run on Opening Day. Please pray for Nodar’s family, friends, the Georgian delegation and all the Luge athletes and coaches.

Tuesday evening after watching some of the highlights with Russian speaking sports friends, I talked with one of the athletes I had shared with last week. He had expressed a great interest in faith, so I gave him a Gospel of John with stories of athletes to read. Yesterday, his coach thanked me for talking with his athlete and said that he was eagerly reading the book I had given him. Tonight I learned that he had read all 21 chapters of John and watched the Jesus in Russian on his computer. He wanted me to tell him more. I gave him a Russian New Testament with testimonies. Two of his teammates joined us as we looked at what the New Testament is all about. One is an Orthodox believer who recently bought a Bible and is trying to understand what is written in the book of Genesis. The other has a Baptist mother, attended church regularly as a child, but not the past few years. I hope to meet again with these three Wednesday or Thursday. Please pray for the coach and his three athletes.

Wednesday I hope to attend the Belarus Finland Men’s Ice Hockey game. As of late Tuesday night in Vancouver, Germany is leading the total medal count, followed by USA, France, and Canada.

Photo 1: Carl and Paul

Photo 2: USA Russia women shot on goal

Photo 3: USA and Russia women post-game

Slide show: click below to see these photos

Click here to see more of Carl's photos

In HIS grip,
Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/
Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Wednesday, Feb 10 update: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan

2010-02-10T02:43:00.004-08:00

Photo 1: sign to chapel

Tuesday was a great day in the Vancouver Olympic Village. I left my host family’s home at 7 AM and drove across the bridge to Vancouver and even found parking not far from the OV in time to be at the chapel for my 8 AM shift. The Buddhist chaplain invited me to join for meditation, so I had a good chance to meditate on John 1 and listen to God and pray at the start of the work day.

Photo 2: Store with Russia Womens Hockey athletes

Photo 3: Russia mascots

We have informal Interdenominational Bible Studies at 9 AM, 2 PM, and 7 PM. After a walk and time of praying with one of the Christian chaplains, I went to the OV Polyclinic where the chiropractor gave me a massage and adjustment and recommended some stretching exercises for my back. I then visited the Belarus and Kazakhstan Team offices, where I saw friends from past games and met some of the new coaches and athletes. They had their Welcoming Ceremonies in the village with greetings from the OV Mayor and Native American drums and dancing. Germany, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and others were also welcomed-two or three of the smaller countries each hour.

Wednesday at 2 PM I plan to be at the Russia Welcoming Ceremony. I enjoy meeting new people, especially Russian speakers. At the Olympic Store in the OV I met three Ice Hockey Players from the Russian Team. We had a nice conversation. They were surprised to meet an American who speaks Russian and is a chaplain. The highlight of the day was when a coach from one of the former USSR countries asked me to speak with one of his athletes. This coach attended our Bible Studies in the 1998 Nagano Olympics at the chapel. I shared what I do and my testimony with this young Olympian. He told me that he was not a believer and not baptized but wanted to know God. I shared the 4 Spiritual Laws from the back of the Gospel of John with Sport Testimonies in Russian. I also share the reason John wrote the gospel: John 20:30-31 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. He said that he desired to know God through Jesus. I encouraged him to begin reading the Gospel and left him our evangelistic Sports DVD with the Jesus Film in Russian. I hope to see him again today. Please pray for him and many of the other athletes and officials.

In the evening one of the American athletes who had been in before came to the chapel for the evening Bible Study. I left the village about 7:30, after a long but wonderful day at the OV. Today my shift starts and 2 PM. All the chaplains appreciate your prayer support. Thanks for being part of our team as we serve.

Photo 3: with Belarus delegation members

Photo 4: Belarus welcome with Native Americans

Photo 5: Kazakhstan speed skaters

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman

Philippians 3:12-14

Tuesday, Feb 9 update: Chaplains

2010-02-10T02:41:00.003-08:00

In 2010, Canada will host the Olympic Winter Games for the second time in history. The XXI Olympic Winter Games come to Vancouver 22 years after Calgary hosted the XV Olympic Winter Games in 1988. Vancouver will mark the third overall appearance of Canada as host (the Games of the XXI Olympiad were held in Montreal in 1976). Montreal was my first Olympics as an alternate on the USA Wrestling Team. The 1992 Barcelona Summer Games was my first opportunity to serve as an official Olympic Chaplain in the Olympic Village. I have served as a chaplain at the past 3 Winter Games and have already seen some friends from the National Olympic Committees in the OV.

Photo 1: Carl and Kim and book table

At the 2006 Torino Games, 2,508 athletes from 80 nations took part in what was the most ever for a Winter Olympics. More athletes and countries are expected to compete this month in Vancouver and Whistler. There are twelve nations that have competed in every Winter Olympics: Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States. Great Britain and Switzerland are the only two countries to have competed in every Winter and Summer Olympics. Norway has won a total of 280 winter Olympic medals over the years, followed by the Soviet Union 217, USA 216, Austria 185, and Germany 179.

The Olympic Village is open, spring like weather in Vancouver, lots of snow in Whistler and snow being hauled into the Free Style and Snow Board Venue by truck and helicopter. My first shift in the Village was Saturday. The Chapel (Multi-faith Centre) is in a great location in the center of the OV. Sunday most of the chaplains gathered for orientation and briefing. There are many with Winter Sports chaplaincy experience, Olympic Chaplaincy experience and even two Winter Olympians (one Canadian Gold Medalist) serving the sports people. About half of the 25 Protestant Chaplains live in North America, with the rest coming from Europe and Australia. In addtion to the Christian Chaplains, there are representatives of the Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, Jewish faiths serving the athletes. We have 5 rooms available for religious services, prayer, counseling, fellowhip and worship. Please pray for us and the entire Olympic family. I first met Katya at the 1998 Nagano Olympics when she was skiing for Belarus and I was a chaplain. Since then we have served together at ski World championships and this is our second Olympics together as chaplains. She serves in the Whistler OV and I serve in the Vancouver OV.

Photo 2: Carl and Katya

Photo 3: Chapel entrance

Photo 4: Christian chaplains Vancouver 2010

For more info on Athletes in Action, check out the website http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/ for testimonies of Olympians and other elite athletes.

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/
Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/