Nine Gold Medals
by David Roth
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This narrative poem describes a Special Olympics race in which nine athletes, after months of training, line up for the hundred-yard dash. When the pistol fires, the smallest runner stumbles and falls, crying out in anguish as his dreams seem dashed. The other eight runners stop, turn back, help him to his feet, and then all nine join hands and complete the race together, walking to the finish line. The event ends with nine gold medals, a standing ovation and nine beaming faces, a moving lesson in compassion, empathy and the true spirit of sport, where collective support matters more than individual victory.
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The race begins
Athletes have come from all over the country to compete for gold, silver and bronze after weeks and months of training. Spectators gather to cheer the young men and women as the final event, the hundred-yard dash, approaches. Nine resolved athletes take their places at the starting line, poised for the sound of the gun.
The fall
The pistol explodes and the runners charge ahead, but the smallest among them stumbles, staggers and falls to the asphalt. He gives out a cry of frustration and anguish as his dreams and efforts seem dashed in the dirt.
An act of compassion
The eight other runners, who had trained so long to compete, pull up on their heels, turn round one by one, go back and bring the young boy to his feet. Then all nine join hands and continue, the hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk, matching perfectly the spirit of the Special Olympics banner above them.
Nine gold medals
The race ends with nine gold medals as the athletes reach the finish line still holding hands. A standing ovation and nine beaming faces say more than words ever could, celebrating empathy, inclusion and the true meaning of victory.