Marilyn Okoro OLY Explores Her Faith & Culture Within Sport at Gordon's School
Marilyn Okoro OLY Explores Her Faith & Culture Within Sport at Gordon's School
Jumping into the final straight of the summer term?
That’s what Marilyn Okoro OLY was doing yesterday as she made her way to Gordon’s School in Woking as part of their Faith & Culture Day for their Year 12 Students.
Mintridge was welcomed back for the third year, building on the learnings from Zainab Alema and Khadijah Safari’s stories of how faith has impacted their sporting careers.
Marilyn spoke openly about her firm belief in her British Nigerian heritage and how she played to the strength of each cultural identity alongside her unwavering faith in God which together, gave a strong pillar in her mindset during her Olympic Track Career.
As so many athletes find, she felt she lost her identity when she transitioned from athletics, her faith was restored by her relationship with God which led to her becoming Lead Pastor of the Croydon Branch of RPD Ministries Europe.
Each presentation was followed by a coaching session where the students were put through their paces by an Olympic Bronze Medallist.
Thank you Marilyn. As Fiona Murden so often says, sports role models like Marilyn inspire thousands of people who follow their quest to achieve, win and overcome obstacles. Young people can see and understand what they do and are likely to emulate them. By Marilyn highlighting that she might be outstanding in sport, but showing her weaknesses and vulnerabilities too like she did so eloquently about her retirement, she has shown the students that she is human and the self awareness that goes with that. We are all unique. We have unique strengths and fallibilities.
Thank you to our King’s School, Grantham Work Experience student for supporting Marilyn and our Programme Manager throughout the day too!
About Us:
The Mintridge Foundation is a UK-wide charity dedicated to turbo-boosting young people's development and opportunities through the transformative power of sports. Our innovative programs and collaborations inspire, mentor, and guide the next generation to thrive.