Exploring the possibility of commitment to God and commitment to elite sport: Case studies of Christianity, Sikhism and Islam

Overview: A consideration that elite sport and religion can be described as paralleled practices is well researched - the commitment, the sacrifice, the dedication to 'practice what you preach'. Whilst a great deal of literature explores the notion of sport 'as' religion (tradition, rituals, fandom and followings) or sport 'for' religion (embodied of practices of physical activity for healing, health and reconnection), little is understood about sport 'through' religion (the embodied practice of sport through the spiritual practice of religion). In this session we will contextualise the well-being of an elite athlete as a person of faith - can you be committed to your sport as well as to your faith? Navigating through real life case studies of Christianity, Islam and Sikhism, we consider the spiritual and psychosocial needs of those at peak physical fitness, and how they negotiate their life as an athlete and a person of faith existing within the unforgiving elite performance culture of Team GB.