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Good morning.  For me Iffley Road in Oxford brings back memories of long cycle rides to student digs. But for athletic fans, it’s forever associated with the historic event on May 6th 1954 when Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile. Old photos reveal how different the world looked then, as he broke the tape running on a cinder track while officials in hats and overcoats held onto their stopwatches. It will all look very different at the Rio Olympics this summer. Athletes in the latest and lightest running gear will be racing on tracks like carpet in times that would leave Bannister trailing far behind, while times are  measured electronically down to thousandths of a second, in the hope of new world records.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the desire of athletes to run faster than ever before. That’s part of their appeal, their commitment to push beyond what seems humanly possible – and in so doing to inspire the rest of us. The sadness of recent scandals is that they undermine trust and suggest that many former records have been achieved unfairly, with the help of drugs enabling some to train longer, recover quicker and outdo their competitors. The hope is that such setbacks can be overcome and athletics begins to regain its previous credibility. This matters not just to athletes but to all of us. We all need that inspiration which comes from seeing people running faster, jumping higher, throwing further than ever before; not necessarily because we can match their achievements but because their example might just encourage each of us to make more of an effort and discover just how much we can accomplish ourselves.

Almighty God,

Sometimes we can feel all too aware of our limitations; help us to be inspired both by your Spirit and the achievements of others, so that we may be challenged once again to realise our full potential. 

For Christ’s sake, Amen.