Viola's faith now drives her worldview -- including the purpose of diving.

"Everything is His," she said. "He's designed the sport. He's designed me for it. The best diving is going to come out of me when I hand it over to Him."

A member of University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, Fla., Viola added, "I know that the Lord is in me and He'll dive through me if I just give that up to Him."

Competing in her first Olympics, Viola said she's only diving for one person.

"When I go to competitions, there are many divers that are diving for their family, or their coaches, or for themselves, for spectators and for others. I'm honestly only diving for the Lord," she said.

"No matter the results, I know that I'm greatly loved."

In the past, if she didn't dive well, she felt like she had disappointed everyone.

"It doesn't matter anymore if anyone's disappointed," she said. "Whatever I do, just walking forward on the platform, is what God wants me to do. When I jump off, I'm right where He wants me to be."

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