Catholic leader of More Than Gold Olympics charity says Games can link sport and Gospel

THE EXECUTIVE TEAM of the Christian charity More Than Gold, supported by the Catholic Church, visited the Olympic Park near Stratford, east London, last week and saw at first hand the largest construction project presently operational in Europe in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games.
More Than Gold was originally established in 1992 by the churches in Britain to provide outreach efforts at major sporting events.
One of its main roles is to mobilise Christians “for service and witness” throughout the Olympics.
The chair of trustees is Lord Mawhinney, chairman of the Football League; and the Minister for the Olympics Tessa Jowell also supports its aims.
The team had “a full 360degree tour” of the completed internal structure of the Olympics Stadium, observing the impressive roof structure of the Aquatics Centre and the vast media centre. They also saw works being done on the Olympic village and the velodrome. The regeneration of the waterways around the Olympic Park was seen as symbolising the human need to befriend the environment while also “manifesting God’s original design being drawn up from being hidden under ashes”.
James Parker, Catholic co-ordinator for the 2012 Games, said: “Basically for the past five Olympic Games the combined effort of the Chritisan churches has come together under a charity called More Than Gold which reflects the fact that there is an eternal prize to be won by everybody.
“Every Christian denomination has been approached by Lord (Brian) Mawhinney, chair of the trustees, to appoint a denominational [representative]. This is the first time in history that the Church has appointed someone full-time to the task of representing the Catholic community alongside the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“My work involves gathering volunteers both within and outside the Olympic stadium and village. There are 70,000 volunteers and they might be involved with anything from picking up litter to directing athletes.
“The faith communities are on board to rally the troops and to ensure that people are welcomed from every corner of the globe.
“The Church has been approached to make sure the needs of Catholics are sufficiently met when they visit Britain during the Games and to ensure a lasting legacy is in place once the Games have finished.
“Lots of money is being pumped into the Games but this is an opportunity to bridge the gap between the culture, whose passion is sport, and the Gospel.
“That’s what PaulVI said in Evangelii Nuntiandi.
“The Catholic Church more than anyone else has clear teaching on the dignity of the human person, the hidden potential buried within each one of us, and the sacred design of the human body.” Dave Willson, chief executive of More Than Gold, said last week’s tour of the site had achieved its purpose, which was to “envision, excite and embody within the minds of those representing Christian denominations the once-in-a-lifetime celebration that the Olympics will bring to Britain as a whole”.
Mr Parker added: “The transformation of toxic wasteland into what will be the largest urban park created in Europe for more than 150 years is incredible to see. It is a visible testimony to how, when there is vision and determination, chaos can be turned into order. You cannot help but be in awe at what is being created for the 2012 Games.
“Not only will our country have the opportunity to host the entire world in several weeks of celebrations in 2012, but we will also gain some of the world’s foremost sporting facilities able to serve every discipline. These will serve as a reminder, not only to the younger generation but to every age group, that God calls us to be people of vision and to care for our bodies as best as we can.”