Online Archives

BY CHRISTINE KUMAR
UMCONNECTION STAFF

Pauline Robinson's stomach was in knots as she prayed feverishly while watching her granddaughter, Sanya Richards, run the 400 meter dash at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, representing the United States.

Richards won the bronze medal on Aug. 20. "We are all so proud of Sanya," said Robinson. Richards was expected to win the gold, but a leg cramp in her right leg hindered her speed.

Robinson, who chairs the worship committee and sings in the choir at Memorial First India UMC in Silver Spring, celebrated nonetheless. She and the congregation prayed often for the Olympic runner.

Her granddaughter, Robinson said, was made for speed. She recalls how even as a young girl, Richards was the fastest kid in the neighborhood. "She would outrun all the other kids," she said. "She challenged the young men too."

Richards, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, moved with her family to Fort Lauderdale, Fla, when she was 12 years old because her parents wanted her to continue her track career in the United States.

She earned a scholarship to attend the University of Texas and turned professional in 2004.

"I've seen ambition in her from the time she was a child," Robinson said.

She is also proud of her granddaughter's faith and trust in God. "We talk from time to time, quote the Scriptures to one another and talk about how God helps us," she said.

Robinson is especially thrilled when her granddaughter visits during Christmas time and attends church with her. Two years ago Richards spoke to the youth of Memorial First India and encouraged them to keep and nurture their faith.

Robinson talks to Richards frequently on the phone and encourages her granddaughter to seek the Holy Spirit before running competitions. "Sanya always prays before she begins any competition," said her proud grandmother.

Richards' faith in God began when she started attending church with her family at the age of 12. "Prior to

moving to the States, I wasn't exposed to Christianity much. But as soon as I got involved, I gave my life to Christ," she told reporters.

Richards credits God for her success on the track. "My faith keeps me grounded," she said. "It also encourages me to give my best. I know that my talent is God's gift to me, and how I use it is my gift to him."

With her God-given talent, Richards worked hard to set and achieve her goals, her grandmother said.

She trains four days a week and despite a chronic illness she continues to strive for excellence.

Richards was diagnosed with Behcet's Syndrome, a rare, incurable inflammatory disorder that causes mouth ulcers, fatigue and skin lesions. Because the mouth ulcers are so painful, at one time, Richards could not talk nor eat. She survived on chicken broth. She finally found medication that moderates the disease.

In the 1,600 meter relay on Aug. 23, Richards and three other team members took the U.S. team to a gold medal victory. Richards plunged her athletic body across the finish line, surpassing Russia's Anastasia Kapachinskaya while lifting the baton in the air.

Richards ran 3 minutes, 18.54 seconds -- the fastest leg of the women's 1,600 meters since 1993.

According to Robinson, Richards credits God for her victories and encourages all young people to follow their dreams and achieve their goals while keeping God the center of their lives. She is a living testimony.

"Now she is off to Zurich to run," said her grandmother.