These Americans are seeking to represent Christ in this year’s Paralympic Games

The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games started Wednesday, bringing together as many as 4,400 athletes from around the world.

Featured below are six American athletes who not only represent the country, but also are believers who use their platforms to glorify God. Each of these athletes has overcome adversity and excelled in their respective sports while seeking to honor the Lord.

Trenten Merrill – Long Jump

34-year-old Trenten Merrill tried his hand at multiple track and field events before settling on the long jump. The decision paid off, as Merrill is currently the American record holder in the long jump for his classification. Merrill previously competed in the Rio de Janeiro (2016) and Tokyo (2020) Paralympics, earning a bronze medal in 2020.

Merrill lost his right leg under the knee after riding as a passenger on his friend’s dirt bike. A car struck the bike, leaving both riders injured and Merrill needing amputation. Under the care and guidance of Gary Yamamoto, his first prosthetist, Merrill attended a running clinic sponsored by the Össur Challenged Athletes Foundation, and made his debut for Team USA in the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships. 

Merrill finished fourth in the 2023 Paris World Championship, missing a chance to be on the podium by a single centimeter. Despite the disappointing result, Merrill shared an Instagram post that read, “Don’t feel bad for me because God has great plans in store for my future. Greatness is among you,” adding references to Colossians 3:23 and Proverbs 3:5-6 at the end. His bio simply reads, “God first.” 

Merrill will compete Sept. 4 in the T64 Long Jump. 

Jamie Whitmore-Meinz – Para Cycling

Jamie Whitmore-Meinz is a decorated Paralympian, with 12 world championships in total across the span of her career. The 48-year-old claimed Gold at the 2016 games in Rio in the women’s C1-3 classification road race. Whitmore-Meinz even won an ESPY in 2014, taking home the award for Best Female Athlete with a Disability.

In 2008, doctors discovered a spindle cell sarcoma that had wrapped around the sciatic nerve in her left leg, ultimately leading to a partial amputation. Whitmore-Meinz fought for her life in the following months through infections, radiation and chemotherapy. She overcame the cancer and relearned how to walk, even giving birth to twin boys in 2010. 

The gold medalist spoke on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in 2022 about the importance of gratitude and Jesus being the Lord of her life. She credits her faith in God for giving her the strength to overcome immense adversity.  

Whitmore-Meinz posted in July on Facebook that she was “so incredibly grateful God has led me on this path. … In 6 days I’ll officially be 16 years cancer free. I had no idea I would be heading to my third Paralympic Games way back then! God is Good!” 

Jessica Long – Para Swimming

Jessica Long is only in her early 30s, but already is a six-time Paralympian. She won her first gold medal in 2004 at just 12 years old and holds 13 world records. Long also has received four ESPY awards for “Best Athlete With a Disability.” 

The 29-time Paralympic medalist was born in Russia with no lower leg bones. Parents Steve and Beth Long adopted her from a Siberian orphanage, sticking with her through 25 painful surgeries throughout her childhood. 

Though Long enjoyed massive early success as a Paralympian, she still felt something was missing. Fighting through the anger from her disability and having been put up for adoption, the swimmer knew she needed a change. On a summer night in 2013, Long surrendered her life to Jesus Christ: 

“I think I was just tired of being angry. I think I was tired of carrying all this weight. I think, you know, nothing was still satisfying my soul, and that’s all I’d ever heard my whole life, right, is God is the One. He’s the One that can fulfill and satisfy every – all of your needs … I walked up and prayed with a woman that I had known and just was like, ‘I really want to give Him my whole heart. I want to pray. I don’t want a question anymore.’ 

“And it was a really special moment. I really do know for a fact, like, I gave Him all of me and I just remember feeling so weightless – and so, just a part of God’s family for the first time, like really a part of it. I feel so much gratitude and love towards just everything that God’s given me, just so thankful.” 

Long, who says her “identity is in Christ,” is one of the most decorated Paralympians of all time.  

Taylor Winnett – Para Swimming

Taylor Winnett makes her Paralympic debut in Paris, but is no stranger to taking home medals in professional competition. Winnett took home seven medals (three gold and four silver) at the 2023 Parapan American Games.  

The 24-year-old will compete in four different swim events under the S10 classification, including the 100-meter butterfly and the 400-meter freestyle. Winnett lives with Ehler-Danlos syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, but despite her struggles, she recognizes she was “made in the image of God.” 

Winnett announced June 30 on Instagram she would be competing in the Paris Paralympics, with a caption that said: 

“This morning prior to the naming ceremony I opened my Bible app and read the following, ‘My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’ Psalms 23:5-6. Being an athlete is an important part of who I am, but my faith has made me who I am and is my purpose.” 

Daniel Romanchuk – Wheelchair Marathon

Daniel Romanchuk is heading to his third Paralympics just weeks after celebrating his wedding on Aug 3. The 26-year-old medaled twice in the Tokyo games, competing in the T54 category (Para athletes who are functional from the waist up). 

Romanchuk comes into the Paris games competing at a high level. He earned second place in both the London and Boston Marathons and secured his personal best time of 1:20:37 in Boston. 

Romanchuk, though an elite competitor in his sport, chooses to identify himself first as a “child of God.”  

“The one thing I’ve learned in life is don’t try to make too much of a plan or hold too tightly to it — God’s plan may be very different, everything could change tomorrow. So pray, trust God; He has a plan. He knows where everything is going to end up. And trust that His plan is the best,” Romanchuk said in a 2019 interview with AG news. 

Zion Redington – Wheelchair Rugby

Zion Redington makes his debut as the youngest Paralympian ever to make the U.S. wheelchair rugby team. The 18-year-old was born in China with ectrodactyly, a condition that results in one finger on each hand and one toe on each foot.

Redington was adopted from a Chinese orphanage by a Christian woman named Heather Redington-Whitlock and brought to the U.S. through the support of multiple Christian organizations. Through consultations during his childhood, doctors decided to amputate his feet to provide better mobility. 

Today, Redington uses both prosthetics and a wheelchair to get around. According to his mother, he has tried nearly every sport, from “basketball to track and field, to air rifle and climbing,” but he has truly found a home in rugby. 

“I know God called Zion to shine his light in the world in relation to having a disability and being able to overcome things and to live your life,” his mother says. “He’s a witness to the light, and it’s a position that God has placed on Zion. We believe it’s a message to all of us to never hide that light …” 

Redington recently said his faith is a “resting place” and “a place of comfort” and he knows God is with him. 

The Paralympic Games will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 on USA Network, and will be streamed on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms.