LIHU‘E — Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay, 30, still remembers his younger days growing up on O‘ahu. A school counselor advised Clay’s mother to enroll the young half African-American, half Japanese boy in sports. She then told Clay he could
LIHU‘E — Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay, 30, still remembers his younger days growing up on O‘ahu. A school counselor advised Clay’s mother to enroll the young half African-American, half Japanese boy in sports. She then told Clay he could either swim or run.
“I didn’t want to wear Speedos, so I chose track,” said Clay, joking.
Hundreds of Kaua‘i residents, the majority of them youth, packed the War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e to enjoy a youth rally Friday in an evening complete with free food and talent exhibitions. Clay’s motivational talk-story was the highlight of the evening.
A devoted husband and father of two, Clay has been competing in decathlons for about 10 years. Besides several medals in national and world championships, Clay also won a silver medal in Greece’s 2004 Olympic Games, and a gold medal in Beijing’s 2008 Olympic Games.
But the family man and world’s greatest athlete will tell you his No. 1 priority is God. Clay is a devoted Christian who speaks to youth about his troubled childhood and how he overcame personal problems after giving himself to God.
With the house almost packed, several youth groups performed their talents.
Clay concluded the night with a speech about his trials and tribulations trying to find his religious identity while becoming a young adult.
Despite growing up in a religious household, Clay at times wanted to turn his back on God. During a time when he questioned God’s ability to look after him, he said he made a decision that changed his life forever.
Clay said he was afraid everyone would abandon him after a false scare of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Before realizing that he didn’t get infected, he told God: “It’s me and you.”
Since he decided to give his life to Christ in 2001, Clay said his life turned around for the best. Today he is married to the woman he fell in love with while attending Azusa Pacific College, had two children with her, and is the current Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon.
Clay said sometimes, however, thoughts of fear and depression can weigh people down.
“God does not expect you to be perfect, he just expects you to give your best,” Clay said.
The Olympic athlete said for some of us, giving our best might mean just getting out of bed or putting one foot in front of the other.
Even an Olympic medalist has his bad days. There were times when all Clay could do was get out of bed, but he still gave his best, he said. God’s plan, he said, is so much bigger than anyone could ever imagine.
The Alec & Belle Waterhouse Lecture Series sponsored the event, which was supported by several youth Christian groups.
U-Turn for Christ, Moms in Touch, Kaua‘i Bible College, Kaua‘i Island Ministry Youth, Boys & Girls Club, Hawai‘i Meth Project and New Hope Kaua‘i brought many volunteers to help with the event.
The County of Kaua‘i also helped by providing the convention hall venue free of charge. Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. came with his wife, and introduced Clay to the audience. Other politicians also attended, such as former Mayor JoAnn Yukimura, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Tokioka and U.S. Senate candidate JoAnne Georgi.
Such an event wouldn’t be complete without food. Organizers offered plenty of free chili and rice, drinks and potato chips.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
