Every day the United States chalks up more medal winners at the Olympics. But I for one have been equally proud of some the off-court, out-of-pool winning actions I've seen. Our men's basektball team made us proud instead of mounting the insulting, tasteless gesture that Spain's team did. Our girls' gymnastic's team graciously accepted their silver medal even when it appeared that the gold-medal-winner Chinese team competed with underaged girls. And Dara Torres' silver medal was eclipsed by the care and teamwork she demonstrated for her fellow swimmers--some of whom were 20 years younger.

But it was Kobe Bryant's comments during an interview with NBC announcer Chris Collinsworth that most caught my attention. Here's the transcript:

Collinsworth: Tell the story when you first got your U.S.A. uniform.

Kobe: Well I had goosebumps, and I actually just looked at it for awhile. I just held it there and I laid it across my bed and I just stared at it for a few minutes--just because as a kid growing up this is the ultimate, ultimate in basketball.

Collinsworth: Where does the patriotism come from inside of you? Historically, what is it?

Kobe: Well, you know it's just our country, it's. . . we believe is the greatest country in the world. It has given us so many great opportunities, and it's just a sense of pride that you have; that you say "You know what? Our country is the best!"

Collinsworth: Is that a 'cool' thing to say, in this day and age? That you love your country, and that you're fighting for the red, white, and blue? It seems sort of like a day gone by.

Kobe: No, it's a cool thing for me to say. I feel great about it, and I'm not ashamed to say it. I mean, this is a tremendous honor.

Kudos Kobe. I don't know if any of these atheletes are Christians. But at least in the actions described here, I believe their actions were Christlike. And that's worth more than any gold medal!