The athletes had come from so many countries
To run for the gold and the silver and bronze
Many weeks and months in training
All building up to the games

The poem written by David Roth focusses on the athletes who have come from different parts of the world to compete and win either gold, silver or bronze medals. They have trained for months to participate in the events with the hopes of winning.

All round the field spectators were gathered
Cheering on all the young women and men
Then the final event of the day was approaching
The last race about to begin

People had gathered to watch and cheer the young men and women. The final event of the day was approaching and the final race was about to begin.

The loudspeakers called out the names of the runners
The one hundred metres the race to be run
And nine young athletes stood there determined
And poised for the sound of the gun

The names of the runners who would be taking part in the race was announced. The nine participants were determined to win the competition and poised themselves at the starting point, waiting for the sound of the gun to signal the start of the race.

The signal was given, the pistol exploded
And so did the runners on hearing the sound
But the youngest among them stumbled and staggered
And he fell on his knees to the ground

The pistol was fired and the race began. The runners charged ahead but one of the runners who was the youngest of the lot stumbled and fell to his knees the ground.

He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish
His dreams and his efforts dashed in the dirt
But as sure as I’m standing here telling the story
Now it’s a strange one, but here’s what occurred

The fallen athlete cried out in anguish and disappointment. His dreams had come to an end. However, something occurred which was quite strange.

The eight other athletes stopped in their tracks
The ones who had trained for so long to compete
One by one they turned round and came back to help him
And lifted the lad to his feet

The eight other athletes who were ahead of him stopped to help him back to his feet.
The other runners who had trained so hard and so long to compete for turned back to help the fallen athlete. This shows their unselfish selves and their compassion for a fellow competitor.

Then all nine runners joined hands and continued
The one hundred metres reduced to a walk
And the banner above that said “Special Olympics”
Could not have been nearer the mark

The hundred-metre race was reduced to a walk as the nine competitors joined hands to cross the finishing line together. The banner which showed that it was special Olympics couldn’t have been more accurate for it eas indeed a special gesture by all the competitors of that race.

That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
Thus the race ended with nine athletes holding their hands right to the finishing mark. They won nine gold medals – one for each — very deservingly.

And the banner above and nine smiling faces
Said more than these words ever will
Said more than these words ever will

All the nine runners won the gold medal as all of them finished the race together and they stood smiling under the banner that rightly declared it as  ‘Special Olympics’.

This poem showcases the need to be compassionate towards the less fortunate and those who struggle and fall down.