Paul Kokoski Hamilton writes that Olympic athletes must have better values:

I am disappointed with the members of the Canadian women’s ice hockey team for bringing alcoholic drinks onto the ice after their gold medal win over the United States.

Olympians have a ‘play hard, party hard’ reputation.

The massive condom distribution at the Games seems to be evidence of that lifestyle and sends the message that such a lifestyle is permitted and even encouraged at the Olympic Village.

Athletes, however, should be grounded in their faith and encouraged to engage in prayer and spiritual reading.

Historically, sports was considered to be a virtue-making machine.

The values that correspond with sports were considered to go hand-in-hand with those that go into being a person of integrity and faith.

Vince Lombardi, the former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Green Bay Packers football team, was a good example of that. He lived his faith and it was integral to his coaching.

Today, however, sports is increasingly associated with vice. It should be a vehicle to develop good character, to make people courageous, generous losers, and gracious victors.

We have to recover these original principles of sports.

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