It seemed like a clean win and a clear victory. We joined in the cheers and applause. From our perspective they had clearly won the bronze medal. Of course, we had no official role to play. We were not the judges nor did they have any responsibility to consult us. We knew next to nothing about the intricacies of the rules of the competition nor did we have a clear and unobstructed view of every segment of the race. Those facts coupled with our strong bias for the Canadian team severely compromised our ability to render a sound judgment on the outcome of the race.
But we weren’t the only ones shocked at the sudden turn of events in the 4X100m relay at the London Olympics in 2012. Canadians were rooting for Jared Connaughton’s team.
It was Saturday, August 11, 2012.
Jared Connaughton from PEI, Gavin Smellie, Oluseyi Smith and Justyn Warner, all from Ontario, were jubilant victors. Their months of disciplined and rigorous training had paid off. When their third place victory flashed up on the screen cheers erupted; ecstatically and proudly they wrapped themselves in Canadian flags. Around the world the Olympic news was flashed: Canada pulled off a bronze win in the 4X100 metre relay!
But then there was a delay. Could we possibly forget the faces of those Canadian winners as they stared at the screen! Something not-so-positive seemed to be happening. The huge smiles and beaming faces suddenly turned into countenances of despair and disbelief. Tears of joy one moment and sobs of disappointment the next. Two of the runners collapsed to the ground.
One step was all it took. What they thought they had won was lost. First it was the replays and the scrutiny of the judges. Then it was confirmed. The devastating announcement was made. The team was disqualified because Jared Connaughton stepped on the line of his lane while passing off the baton. It didn’t matter that his toe barely nicked the line.
To some of us – we thought the rule was overly stringent. To us we thought the judges were being a bit extreme.
Connaughton didn’t argue with the judges. He didn’t appeal the decision. In fact, he showed commendable maturity and courage as he took full responsibility for his violation of the rule and publicly apologized to his team mates and his country for his failure.
Moments after the disqualification was announced Jared Connaughton said: “It was my fault….We ran a great race. As soon as I saw the replay I saw I had stepped on the line. The rule is pretty unforgiving. I’m really upset. I’m sorry for costing my teammates a medal. ” In another interview he said: “It’s one step. It’s tough…I take full responsibility because it was my fault…..we’re one of the best relay teams in the world and one step took that away.”
Jamaica, with Usian Bolt running the anchor leg, won the gold medal in a world-record time of 36.84 seconds. The United States took silver in 37.04 and Trinidad and Trinidad and Tobago replaced Canada as the bronze medallists.
As the news on the screen dramatically changed, Canadian Oluseyi Smith said: “It’s the worst thing in the world.” Crying he said: “We just looked at the board and saw we were disqualified. I don’t know what to say.”
A Significantly Bigger Issue
In something far more significant and serious than the Olympics is it reasonable to expect that rules would be any less forgiving or the standards any less flexible? I’m thinking about God’s entrance requirements for Heaven.
It’s one thing to be devastated over losing a bronze medal in a game but have you ever thought of the tragedy of losing one’s soul for eternity – missing Heaven by a disqualification for which you are responsible?
Just One Step – Just One Wrong
God’s Word, the Bible couldn’t be clearer: all have failed God’s requirements; all come short of God’s Holy standards. It matters not whether it is by 100 wrongs, 10 wrongs or just 1 wrong. It was only one wrong step for Jared Connaughton. He accepted the right and the responsibility of the Olympian judges to disqualify him for one foot barely touching the line.
Have you ever accepted God’s right and responsibility to maintain His holy standards in His universe? Have you ever agreed that your sins (even if you have only one of them) are an affront to His Holiness and a violation of His Rules?
Although Connaughton wisely didn’t argue even one minute with the judges, many sinners engage in a persistent and sometimes intensely hostile argument with the One and Only True and Holy God – the Judge of the Court of No Appeals.
TWO REALITIES IN GOD’S WORD, THE BIBLE
1. Revelation 21:27 leaves no wiggle room whatsoever. Nothing unclean (and what could be dirtier than sin!) will ever enter God’s Eternal Dwelling Place.
2. Romans 3:23 makes this all-inclusive, no exceptions emphatic statement: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Based on the two realities above, what are your own chances of entering Heaven and enjoying God if you were to die tonight?
THE RIGHT THING TO DO NOW
Accept the Judge’s ruling that you have violated His Holy Standard and surrender to the fact that you are the guilty offender.
GOOD NEWS FOR THE GUILTY ONE
The Righteous Judge is the Gracious and Loving God. The penalty He requires for every one of your sins was fully borne by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ when He died on the Cross 2000 years ago. Based on Christ’s death, God can forgive every one of your sins and can fully accept you into a permanent and joyful relationship with Himself – that starts right now and lasts forever.
Does that sound appealing?
For Christ also suffered once for sins,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
that He might bring us to God.
1Peter 3:18The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1John 1:7
Credits:
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/08/11/canada-wins-olympic-bronze-in-4×100-metre-relay/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/canadian-mens-relay-team-goes-from-bronze-to-heartache-after-disqualification/article4476766/
Jean Levac, Postmedia Olympic Team
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/giant-olympic-rings-on-londons-tower-943307