“Knowing Christ is the best thing that has ever happened to me, although winning the US Open was a pretty good second.”
2019 Worlds
Faith Kipyegon silver medallist in the 1500m
Stuart was at the World Athletics Championships in Doha in September/October 2019, supporting athletes and writing for RunBlogRun.
Stuart had approached the organizers of the event about chaplaincy but, they decided not to allow the chaplaincy at Doha 2019, perhaps because Qatar is a Muslim country, although Christianity is allowed for foreigners.
Stuart had been in touch with the U.S. team in advance about holding some chapels for their athletes. During the 2018 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham and at the World Relays in Tokyo this year, we had worked with the American team in the same way. He had also talked to a member of the British team who had in the past booked a team room for us In the end we delivered 11 chapels/Bible studies/services – five in the American hotel, three in the British hotel and three in other hotels. The cumulative attendance was 48 athletes and 10 staff.
In addition:
We had over 20 meetings with athletes 1 to 1;
We were a presence at the event, seeing and greeting athletes constantly;
Stuart was circulating a daily devotional email to about 60 competing athletes;
We were all whatsapping athletes on a daily basis.
Dina Asher-Smith wins the 200m
Karsten Warholm winning the 400h
The light show
Malaika Mihambo won the long jump with three seven-metre jumps
A great example of sportsmanship
Pictures: Getty Images for IAAF