Nine Gold Medals by David Roth - Poem & Summary

The athletes had come from all over the country

To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze

Many weeks and months of training

All coming down to these games.

 

The spectators gathered around the old field

To cheer on all the young women and men

The final event of the day was approaching

Excitement grew high to begin.

 

The blocks were all lined up for those who would use them

The hundred-yard dash and the race to be run

These were nine resolved athletes in back of the starting line

Poised for the sound of the gun.

 

The signal was given, the pistol exploded

And so did the runners all charging ahead

But the smallest among them, he stumbled and staggered

And fell to the asphalt instead.

 

He gave out a cry in frustration and anguish

His dreams and his efforts all dashed in the dirt

But as sure as I’m standing here telling this story

The same goes for what next occurred.

 

 

The eight other runners pulled up on their heels

The ones who had trained for so long to compete

One by one they all turned around and went back to help him

And brought the young boy to his feet.

 

Then all the nine runners joined hands and continued

The hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk

And a banner above that said (Special Olympics)

Could not have been more on the mark.

 

That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals

They came to the finish line holding hands still

And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces

Said more than these words ever will.

Essay:

"Nine Gold Medals," by the American singer-songwriter David Roth, tells a true story of a running race in 1976. It was held by a sports organization Special Olympics for competitors with intellectual disabilities.

Nine competitors trained hard for the event and finally, the day arrived. They stood on the starting line for the 100-meter dash. Their names were announced.  The competitors and spectators were excited as it was the grand finale. The race began with the gun shot. 

 A young runner accidentally stumbled and fell to the ground. He cried out in heartbreak; everything he'd worked so hard for had suddenly come tumbling down. Rather than continue the race without him, all of the other athletes turned around and lifted the fallen runner to his feet. They then walked across the finish line arm-in-arm in a powerful display of kindness and empathy. The poet declares it as the true spirit of the games. The human values - compassion and brotherhood are far more valuable than winning.

Thus, the poem highlights that Life is not about winning the race but the hearts keeping the spirit of humanity.