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U.S. Olympic Coach Proselytizes His Archer-Athletes

By Howard M. Friedman

Today's New York Times reports that the proselytizing of athletes by Kisk Lee, head coach of the U.S. Olympic archery team, concerns the U.S. Olympic Committee. At least three of the five members of the U.S. archery team in Beijing meet with Lee each morning to sing hymns, read from the Bible and attend services at the chapel in Olympic Village. Lee, who became a Christian in 1999, says: "I don?t want to have any favorites. I would love to be fair for everyone. But sooner or later, if they can see through me God, that?s what I want to try to do." Lee says that Christianity helps athletes clear their minds and focus. A Colorado mother who is a Buddhist expressed concern about the pressures her 16-year old daughter felt to accept Christianity when she trained with Lee at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 20, 2008 (boomark / email).