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London Olympics 2012: God and the games The world’s top athletes converge on London, bringing their religious beliefs with them. From the demands (and accommodations) of Ramadan, to an American running for the faith, a look at God and the games.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Lolo Jones of the United States competes in the Women's 100m Hurdles heat on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Stu Forster
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GETTY IMAGES
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The London 2012 Olympics bring together 16,000 athletes representing nine major religions in one big stadium. Olympic coordinators are responsible for catering to the spiritual needs of the athletes and officials, including dietary restrictions and worship rituals. This year, the games fall during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims are traditionally not allowed to eat or drink during the day.
MARIANA SUAREZ
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AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The Olympic Village dining room, a temporary structure built for the London 2012 Olympic Games, will accommodate up to 16,000 athletes and officials from more than 200 nations. Kosher and halal food will be available round-the-clock and special evening snack packs will be available to Muslim athletes fasting during the day for Ramadan.
OLIVIA HARRIS
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REUTERS
July 24, 2012
A Cuban flag hangs on the athlete accommodations in the Athletes Village at the Olympic Park in London. About 16,000 athletes of different faiths and beliefs will share these quarters during the games.
Nick Potts
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AP
The area surrounding the stadium is home to more than 250,000 Muslims and about 100 mosques, NBC reports. Muslims observing Ramadan have a two-hour window each evening in which they are expected to attend prayer at a mosque. Roughly 3,000 Muslim athletes will compete in the Olympics this year.
Lefteris Pitarakis
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AP
Doubts about the ability of London's crowded subway system to handle a swarm of visitors persists as the games drew near. The overlap of the Olympics and Ramadan is sure to attract additional worshippers each night to mosques located near the Olympic Stadium, which is expected to further strain transportation in the city.
KI PRICE
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KI PRICE
Lolo Jones, right, is one of many athletes competing in the Olympics this year whose faith will be on display. The devout evangelical Christian is known for praying before competitions and tweeting about her faith. “Wow! Nothing is impossible with God! Honored to represent The United States at the 2012 London Olympics,” she tweeted in June.
Michael Heiman
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GETTY IMAGES
Palestinian judoka Maher Abu Rmeileh is one of many Muslims who will not fast for Ramadan during the Olympics, citing permission from religious scholars who say that Islam allows exceptions to Muslims traveling on a national mission. Rmeileh will make up the days he missed fasting when he returns home after the games.
AMMAR AWAD
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REUTERS
Japanese Buddhist monk Kenki Sato, who sports a shaved head in the tradition of his religion, begins each day with a morning prayer, according to Yahoo News. Sato will represent Japan in equestrian events at the games.
Rob Griffith
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AP
Claressa Shields, left, will represent the U.S. in the first-ever women’s Olympic boxing event. Shields, an outspoken Christian from Michigan, carries her faith closely in the ring. In July, she tweeted, “God wakes everybody up with a purpose. I'm glad he woke me up and I know my purpose.!”
Jed Conklin
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AP
Marathoner Ryan Hall, of California, listed "God" as his coach on a qualifying form for the games, according to the New York Times. The evangelical Christian says God speaks to him and is helping Hall outline a winning strategy for this year's Olympics.
Jason DeCrow
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AP
March 29, 2011
A view of the London 2012 Olympic stadium. The International Olympic Committee had asked London organizers to make sure the opening ceremony finishes by midnight so athletes can return to the village at a reasonable hour.
Tom Hevezi
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AP/File photo
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