In the heart of the bustling Olympic Village in Paris, something truly special has been happening. Among the intense competitions and rigorous training, a group of athletes from Fiji has been making waves—not just with their athletic performances, but with their beautiful, harmonic singing of hymns praising God. These moments of worship have resonated far beyond the confines of the village, touching the hearts of millions around the world.
Australian water polo player Matilda Kearns has had the unique pleasure of being housed near the Oceania building, where the Fijian athletes are staying. She shared videos of the Fijian team’s Sunday worship sessions on Instagram, and the response has been incredible.
According to the Christian Post, one post alone has garnered over 559,000 likes, with Kearns expressing her joy at being able to listen to the heartfelt hymns. “Having the best seat in the Village being next to the Oceania building,” she wrote. It’s clear that the harmonious voices of the Fijian athletes are providing a beautiful soundtrack to the Games for everyone nearby.
The Fijian athletes’ hymn of choice, “Mo Ravi Vei Jisu,” translates to “Put your trust into the Lord and He will guide your way.” It’s a powerful message, and one that resonates deeply with the people of Fiji, where about 64% of the population identifies as Christian. For the Fijian team, faith is woven into the fabric of their daily lives, and singing worship songs is a natural expression of that faith.
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Team Fiji has shared their musical moments with the world, posting a full video of their Sunday service hymn on Facebook. It’s clear that their faith and their music have become an integral part of their Olympic journey, something that’s touched not only their fellow athletes but people around the globe. Even in the early morning hours, their voices can be heard, as one Australian team staffer noted to Reuters, “They tend to start around 6:30 a.m. No one is bothered by it. … It just sounds beautiful.”
The Fijian men’s rugby team has a history of singing their faith proudly. After winning gold in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, they united to sing the hymn “E Da Sa Qaqa,” which means “We have overcome.”
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Their captain, Jerry Tuwai, shared with The Guardian that their routine of starting and ending each day with prayers and songs is a testament to their deep faith. He explained, “That song says that our God is a loving God, and that while we always tend to go astray from what He expects from us, He still loves us, and gives us good things.”
As the 2024 Olympics continue, the Fijian athletes remind us all of the power of faith, community, and the simple yet profound act of singing together. Their voices may have started in a small corner of the Olympic Village, but they’ve echoed around the world, bringing a piece of Fiji’s heart to everyone who listens.
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