Olympian Yemisi Ogunleye turns post-event presser into moment of worship

After winning gold last week, Yemisi Ogunleye turned her Paris Olympics press conference into a moment of worship.

Ogunleye, a Nigerian-born German shot putter, secured the Germans’ first gold in the shot put in 28 years. She collapsed to her knees after the distance for her throw was confirmed at 20.00 meters, the farthest throw of the competition.

New Zealander Maddison-Lee Wesche had a final chance to answer the incredible throw, but ultimately fell short. 

Ogunleye’s start in the competition was rough, as the 25-year-old fell on her first throw after slipping in rainy conditions. Despite a sore knee, Ogunleye pushed through with a solid second throw that qualified her for the finals.  

Reflecting on how she approached the final throw after the rough start, Ogunleye said during the post-event press conference: 

“Before the last attempt, I didn’t think about anything but just lifted my hands and prayed. And that might seem weird to some people, but that is really the source of my peace and joy. … After seeing where the shot landed, when I knew it was hopefully going to be enough for the gold medal, I just went on my knees and said, ‘Thank you, Jesus.’”

In that same press conference, a reporter asked the shot putter if it was true that she sang in a gospel choir, and which song was going through her mind after her medal-clinching throw. Rather than naming the song and moving on, Ogunleye sang for a full minute about the faithfulness of God in difficult times. 

“After falling (in celebration) I went back to my seat and I sang a song. It means ‘I almost let go,'” Ogunleye told the reporter before she began to sing.  

The song I Almost Let Go is a 20-year-old song by gospel singer Kurt Carr, and is included in the WOW Gospel 2004 compilation. Carr responded to Ogunleye’s moment on Instagram, saying, “You better tell the world Yemisi Ogunleye.” 

Carr went on to quote a line from the song – “He kept me, so I wouldn’t let go” – adding, to Ogunleye, “Thank you for letting your light shine and showing the world your love of God. Congrats on winning a gold medal for Germany in shot put.” 

Franklin Graham also responded to the moment on X, writing: 
 
“Olympic gold medal winner Yemisi Ogunleye stuns the press with a beautiful song about how Jesus Christ has kept her. She sings, ‘I’m alive today because of His grace.’ Thank you for not being ashamed of His Name Yemisi!” 

Ogunleye’s beautiful rendition of the gospel song was not the only moment during the Olympics where she turned an interview into a chance to sing a gospel song. In an interview with German sports magazine and broadcaster Sportschau, the Olympian smiled as she sang a portion of This Little Light of Mine. 

Ogunleye’s propensity to turn her platform into worship is nothing new, as the gold medalist regularly shares video clips of moments of worship she’s involved in on her Instagram. The caption in her bio simply states, “NOT I, BUT JESUS IN ME.”  

Ogunleye’s boldness regarding her faith was part of a string of Olympians sharing Christ amid an otherwise controversial Olympics. Ogunleye’s moment of worship is perhaps the most viral, with millions of views worldwide across various platforms. 

Though Ogunleye has now achieved the highest honor in her sport, the gold medalist made it clear before she ever won that God isn’t defining her by her achievements. Ogunleye shared a post in October of last year that, translated into English, sums up where the Olympian’s heart will remain:

“God does not define me by my achievements. Successes come and go, but Jesus’ love remains unconditional. He is the source of my joy.”