The Warm Up Track 2026: Claire Bryant - Leap of Faith

As the camera moved along the line-up before the 2025 World Indoor Long Jump final, Claire Bryant held up a sign she'd made.

The Championships were being held in Nanjing, and Claire had decided to make a sign which said 'Jesus' in Mandarin.

As she prepared to take her first jump, an official informed her that doing so had broken World Athletics rules concerning the displaying of religious or political symbols or slogans on the field of play.

There was a risk she could be disqualified.

What happened next, as described to us by Claire in this episode, really captures her natural humour, her fierce competitive instincts on the runway and the part that her Christian faith plays in every aspect of her life.

Photo: Gold medallist Claire Bryant of Team United States celebrates winning the Women’s Long Jump Final on day three of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 2025 at Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Sports Park on March 23, 2025 in Nanjing, China.(Credit: Getty Images)