AJ Barbar: Olympic Athlete Swimming for his Saviour

Have you ever met an Olympic swimmer, who not only hated swimming but wanted to be a basketball player instead? Well, if you haven’t then you’re in luck. Swimming for Lebanon in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, was not only a dream come true for AJ Barbar but one that was a complete miracle for him. In this story we will “dive” into the watery world of AJ and what makes him a swimmer for his Savior.

In the beginning, AJ was not a fan of swimming. He mainly did it because his dad thought he had a good build for it and was a natural at it. His real passion was basketball. However, in 2008, AJ watched the Summer Olympics and the swimming events really caught his eye.

He said, “After the 2008 Summer Olympics I decided to give it (swimming) a shot. It was a lot of fun to watch, but then I thought whatever, it’s almost basketball season. I’ll just do it to get into shape. At first, I didn’t enjoy it, but kept going and decided that I wanted to swim in college, I fell in love with it there and now, here I am still at it 10 years later.”

AJ Barbar: Olympic Athlete Swimming for his Saviour

Early on, the main obstacles AJ faced were mental. “I didn’t like the pain, I didn’t like the intensity of it. I got bored easily and swimming was too much work. You have to train every day and stay on top of your game all the time. I didn’t enjoy the practice part of it, but I loved to race!”

Getting to where AJ is today has been a long and arduous journey. Starting in high school and then continuing into college, AJ has grown to love the sport of swimming. Something he said that wasn’t a sport is something he now calls a career. He said that finding the love for the sport in college is what propelled his career professionally and internationally.

First for everything

AJ described his first Summer Olympic games in 2016, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as, “Wow, it was incredible, something I’ve always dreamed of, since I started swimming. Competing at the highest level, it was unbelievable! Being with my coach and my family was awesome! On top of that I got to live with world-class athletes that were there for the same purpose. It was just a lot of fun.”

In his first race as an Olympic athlete AJ describes it as, “Such a rush of adrenaline and excitement! People ask me all the time if I was nervous… I always tell them no way, I had a blast! Just honored to represent, God, my country, and my family.”

Looking to make the 2020 Tokyo games, AJ sums up his goals if he makes it, “Lord willing if I qualify, what I want to do in Tokyo, is make it more memorable. Not only would I love to come away with a medal, or a best time; I would also love to enjoy the experience as a whole even more and meet as many people as I can.”

AJ Barbar: Olympic Athlete Swimming for his Saviour

Being an Olympic athlete is a title that most people will never have. Most athletes are prideful, and let the fame get into their head, but not AJ, he speaks with humility, “Being an Olympic athlete is just like any other athlete out there. Being an Olympian just speaks to your dedication. You have four years to train for just one shot at making an Olympic team. Training four years, for one opportunity is very challenging in any sport. I don’t like the title as much, I mean it’s awesome, it’s something I’ve always dreamt of, but what holds a higher title is all the hard work, discipline, and perseverance it takes to get there.”

You would think that going to the Olympics is the greatest accomplishment in your life. However, AJ had a completely different attitude towards his greatest accomplishment in life. Instead of the Olympics being the primary focus, AJ points to what happened since then. Using his role and platform to minister and to help others, especially kids who also want to compete in swimming.

AJ’s true vision

AJ believes this is more important than even competing in the Olympics! AJ wants to help and inspire kids and adults, and if they have patience and perseverance, they can achieve anything they set their minds to! This message is something many Christian athletes across the world should strive for.

AJ tries to be a light for Christ as he travels around the world. “Going to different countries across the world where Christianity might not be the main religion. I have the opportunity to be a light for Christ, and I try to lead by example while I’m there.”

There are two role models that AJ looks up to and strives to be like. One is his dad, “Just the way he takes care of us as a family and always puts the family first, he works hard. He’s so devoted to his work and passionate about life. It’s crazy, the older I get, the more I find myself become like him; which would have freaked me out as a kid, but now it’s not so bad.” 

Tim Tebow his hero?

The second one is someone who most people know and love and is known for being vocal about his faith. That is none other than Tim Tebow. “Just the way he uses his platform and proclaims his faith is incredible. Being active in sports and in the community, and just being a Christian athlete and using that platform to glorify God.”

AJ has been a Christian for most of his life. He prayed to accept Christ at the age of 5. In college however, AJ lost sight of his purpose and lost some of his joy in life. His senior year he felt lost.

“Something I’ll never forget, my coach kicked me out of practice in front of everybody.” His coach said, ‘Something’s up with you, and don’t come back until your head’s right.’ “I had no idea what he was talking about! But actually, with the help of my family, a few books, and daily prayer, that moment helped me turn my life around and made me stronger, mentally and spiritually. I can’t believe something so small could make such a huge impact.”

Life verse

His life verse is Psalm 143:8: “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” This verse helped AJ through college when he was in a funk and helped him get out of it. This verse also reminded AJ, “It reminds me that God’s love is always there and we’re going to wake up every morning and He’ll be there. It doesn’t matter what you did in the past, God’s love is still going to be there. You have just got to trust Him, and he’ll get you on the right path.”

As for after his swimming career is over, AJ has big plans. On the side AJ would like to coach swimming, but for his career he wants to be a firefighter and paramedic, again ministering to others. “Again, leading and inspiring others. Going from swimming internationally to a firefighter and paramedic in the community, I believe that is the direction, helping other people, but in a different uniform.”

In closing when asked if there was anything, he wanted to share AJ simply responded, “I just want to thank my family, friends, coaches, and everybody I ever came across just for having a big impact on my life. I’m just so grateful for everyone and all of the credit goes to my Lord and Savior. He’s definitely a big reason, a lot has happened, and this has been nothing short of a miracle.”