Many athletes face the difficult decision of prioritizing either their religion or their
sport. This choice is particularly significant for those who follow religions with demanding
obligations. For example, Islam requires its followers to observe a month of fasting called Ramadan, during which Muslims must abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This can be especially challenging for elite athletes, who must adhere to strict diets and routines to perform at their best. During Ramadan, the physical and mental demands of competing and training intensify, forcing Muslim athletes to decide whether to follow Ramadan and risk poor performance or skip Ramadan and face consequences from their faith. Ultimately, this decision depends on personal values and priorities.
Hakeem Olajuwon, a retired NBA player, is a notable example of a Muslim athlete who
navigated the challenges of Ramadan during his career. Despite the holy month coinciding with the NBA season, Olajuwon reported feeling stronger and more energetic during Ramadan, attributing this to Allah's mercy. In 2017, he told The Undefeated, "Through Allah’s mercy, I always felt stronger and more energetic during Ramadan" (qtd. in Tan). This wasn't just a feeling—statistics support Olajuwon's impressive performance during Ramadan. In 1995, he averaged 29.5 points per game, along with 10.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.4 blocks during the holy month (Tan). Comparatively, his overall averages for the 1994-1995 season were 27.8 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3.4 blocks (Basketball Reference). These figures indicate that fasting did not hinder Olajuwon's performance. The only substantial conflict he faced was occasionally having his training schedule clash with prayer times, which are also essential during Ramadan. Olajuwon adapted by combining and shortening his prayers to accommodate his demanding schedule, stating, "The beauty of Islam is that it allows you the ability to meet those challenges by giving a solution to these types of situations... Islam is very practical, and it’s not meant to make things difficult for people" (Tan).
However, not all Muslim athletes can manage Ramadan as Olajuwon did. Ons Jabeur, a professional tennis player, provides a contrasting example. During the 2017 French Open, one of the four major Grand Slam tournaments, Jabeur faced Ramadan. That year, she achieved a breakthrough by defeating the number six seed, marking her first career win over
a top-10 opponent and becoming the first Arab woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam ("Historic win"). After her victory, Jabeur stated, "I cannot go on here without eating or drinking, but after the tournament I will give it back, day by day" (qtd. in "Historic win"). However, in 2023, during the annual Charleston Open, which also fell during Ramadan, Jabeur implied she observed the fasting requirements. When asked about Charleston's food scene, she responded, "Ramadan happens to be the same time as Charleston. Hopefully in a few years, when Ramadan changes from the date of Charleston, I will be able to enjoy it more" (Mesic). Whether Jabeur's different decisions were due to personal changes between 2017 and 2023 or the higher stakes of the French Open, her experiences illustrate how holidays like Ramadan impact professional athletes.
Similarly, Judaism has a holiday called Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, which is often referred to as “the Sabbath of all Sabbaths.” During Yom Kippur, Jews are called to repent and must abstain from eating, drinking, working, driving, and other activities. This can conflict with athletes’ schedules, as competing or training would be considered working.
In 1965, the World Series fell during Yom Kippur, presenting a dilemma for athletes like Sandy Koufax, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher at the time. Koufax was torn between his religious obligations and his professional duties. Ultimately, his boss, Walter O’Malley, made
the final decision, forbidding Koufax from pitching in the game. O’Malley told the press, “I won’t let Sandy pitch on Yom Kippur under any circumstances. [...] I can’t let the boy do that to himself” (qtd. in Rothenberg). O’Malley’s statement highlights the significance of Yom Kippur in Judaism. In the end, Koufax chose to sit out the game himself, but his decision does not necessarily reflect the choices of all Jewish athletes. For example, Hank Greenberg, the Detroit Tigers’ first baseman, decided to play on Rosh Hashanah in 1934, the Jewish New Year (Rothenberg). Although the Torah also forbids work during Rosh Hashanah, Greenberg chose to play instead of abstaining from work. However, he did sit out a game on Yom Kippur in 1934, although it may have also been due to a wrist injury (Rothenberg).
The decisions Jewish athletes make during these days of rest largely depend on their perspective and interpretation of their religion. Some adhere strictly to their practices, while others are more flexible. This variability applies to followers of all religions.
In conclusion, the intersection of religious obligations and athletic commitments presents significant challenges for many athletes. Whether Muslim, Jewish, or of another faith, athletes must navigate the demands of their religion while striving to excel in their sports. The examples of Hakeem Olajuwon, Ons Jabeur, Sandy Koufax, and Hank Greenberg illustrate the diverse ways athletes address these challenges, ultimately reflecting their personal values, priorities, and interpretations of their faith.
Works Cited
Basketball Reference. “Hakeem Olajuwon Stats | Basketball-Reference.com.” Basketball- Reference.com, 2019, www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/olajuha01.html.
“Historic Win Puts Jabeur’s Fasting on Temporary Hold - Sports - Chinadaily.com.cn.” Www.chinadaily.com.cn, 2 June 2017, www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2017- 06/02/content_29590067.htm. Accessed 11 July 2024.
Mesic, Dzevad. “Ons Jabeur Fasting and Competing, Reveals How Ramadan Is Impacting Her in Charleston.” Tennis World USA, 4 Apr. 2023, www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/WTA_Tennis/130664/ons-jabeur-fasting-and- competing-reveals-how-ramadan-is-impacting-her-in-charleston-/. Accessed 11 July 2024.
Rothenberg, Matt. “Sandy Koufax Responded to a Higher Calling on Yom Kippur in 1965.” Baseball Hall of Fame, baseballhall.org/discover/sandy-koufax-sits-out-game-one.
Tan, John Jefferson. ““I Always Felt Stronger and More Energetic during Ramadan” - Hakeem Olajuwon Opens up about Being a Muslim in the NBA.” Basketball Network - Your Daily Dose of Basketball, 6 Nov. 2023, www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the- court/hakeem-olajuwon-opens-up-about-being-a-muslin-in-the-nba.
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