Olympic medalist from Peru reveals how the Rosary and the Eucharist strengthen his life and career

Stefano Peschiera, the Peruvian athlete who managed to win the first Olympic medal for his country in 32 years, has shared in a recent interview his story of faith and personal improvement, which is closely linked to the power of prayer, the Eucharist and the Holy Rosary. .

“Today I am a man of faith, a very believer, and happy to be on this path,” said Peschiera, 29, in an interview with EWTN News, two weeks after winning the bronze medal in sailing at the Games. Paris 2024 Olympics.

His success in the ILCA 7 category makes him the fifth Peruvian to achieve such an honor in more than three decades at the Olympic Games. But behind this triumph there is a little-known story of faith and devotion.

The Olympic medalist explained that, in addition to working mentally with a sports psychologist, he found refuge and calm in prayer and religious objects during the competition. “I have felt incredible energy from so many people who have given me religious objects, such as rosaries, holy cards, and Bibles,” he said.

For Stefano, faith is not just a part of his private life, but it plays a crucial role in his success as an athlete. “I pray every night, giving thanks for the health of my family and the opportunities it gives us. I ask that you continue to bless us with those opportunities and with health, which is the most important thing in the end,” he shared.

His love for the Eucharist

The athlete pointed out that during this year he has gone through complex moments regarding his health, but his mother always encouraged him to pray. “In the end, the Lord helped me get through those moments,” he said.

He also assured that he usually attends the celebration of Holy Mass frequently: “Not only because the Olympics were coming, but I try to go every Sunday I can. Sometimes, because of the sport I practice, it gets complicated, but nowadays I go to Mass even virtually.”

But this journey of faith has not been in a straight line. Although Stefano comes from a Catholic family, for many years he did not practice his faith, until participating in a retreat of the “Sicar” community, a community of young people in the Santa María Reina church, in the Lima district of Miraflores.

“I have always believed in God. Whether I have been close or far from Him does not change the fact that I have always believed in Him and continue to believe in Him today. I live happily with my faith and I like to share this experience of faith with people, especially how it is related to success in sports,” he said.

After participating in the Catholic retreat of the Sicar community, the athlete experienced a significant change as he reconciled with his faith. “At that retreat, I went to confession for the first time in years. It was a very testimonial retreat, with very beautiful people who shared moments in which, like me now, they had distanced themselves a little from their faith, but they managed to return and God saved them.”

According to the athlete, today he carries out any daily activity “with much more awareness” and maintains contact with the Sicar community every Thursday and tries not to miss their meetings.

The importance of the Holy Rosary in your life

Stefano has found in the Holy Rosary a source of strength and peace, especially in the moments of greatest pressure in his sporting career. Although his devotion to the Rosary deepened recently, it has taken on special meaning. “I think I started praying the Rosary more when I went to the (shrine of the) Lord of Miracles last year. The energy I felt was incredible. There I bought a purple Rosary and started praying,” he shared with EWTN News.

The Rosary has not only provided him comfort, but has also become a key element in his preparation before competitions. During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Stefano carried with him a Rosary that had been given to him by the mother of an Argentine friend.

“I entrusted myself to God every morning and night, with the Rosary that the mother of an Argentine friend gave me, who also gave me a picture of Medjugorje. He also gave me a Rosary that I prayed with his group for 30 days before the Olympics. “Those Rosarios accompanied me and gave me the strength to face each day of competition,” he stated.

Although practicing the Rosary requires dedication, Stefano has integrated this devotion into his daily life, even on the most exhausting days. “Always at night I pray the Lord’s Prayer and some Hail Marys. Sometimes I pray a Rosary or part of it, depending on how tired I am. I try to make that effort, although sometimes I fall asleep with the Rosary on my chest,” he confessed.

Faith and its vision of sport

Peschiera recognized that the life of faith is not always easy and that, just like in sports, it must face temptations and tough challenges. “I have tried to realize that there must be a balance between faith, knowledge and wisdom. “Too much faith without wisdom can lead to blind faith (…) On the other hand, too much knowledge without faith creates a cynicism that can lead a person to not believe,” she reflected. This balance, he assures, is what has allowed him to face not only sporting challenges, but also personal difficulties.

According to Stefano, who has now earned a place in the history of sports in his country, today he only asks “God for strength to face whatever comes, whether defeats, failures, successes or successes.”

“My dad always instilled in me: let’s never victimize ourselves, let’s not throw in the towel for anything, let’s go out and turn things around, the board, the situation and let’s overcome ourselves. So let’s always look for the next best decision and hope, let’s never lose hope,” he advised his followers.

Stefano revealed at the end of the interview that every night, at the end of his prayers, he does not ask God to “make him win” or “give him a medal.” “The main thing is that it gives health to my family, me and the beautiful people around us. I ask you to give a chance to those who are a little off track or going down the wrong path. But above all, I ask you for strength to face whatever comes,” he concluded.