Presentation (3) Nine Gold Medals .pptx

Poem

1. Sports is not only about winning medals. They are also about learning the values of cooperation, sharing, competing and complementing. In this poem ‘Nine Gold Medals’, the poet, David Roth has presented the idea of empathy and how human values are as important as the spirit of competition. The poem presents the situation of a race, where the contestants leave aside their desire to win the medal to help a smaller and weaker contestant. They all go hand-in-hand to the finishing line. INTRODUCTION

2. Stanza 1 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. Explanation   Athletes from far and wide had gathered to take part in a competition. All of them had worked hard and set their eyes on the gold, silver and bronze medals. They had trained very hard in order to perform well in the meet.

3. Stanza 2 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. Explanation   It was a old venue. Spectators had come in large numbers to cheer the athletes. The day wasabout to end . Only the last event was left. A feeling of excitement filled the air. Everyone waited expectantly.

4. Stanza 3 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. Explanation   The galleries were full. The 100-yard race , was about to start. Nine well-trained athletes proceeded to take their positions on the blocks and waited for the gun shot sound.

5. Stanza 4 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. Explanation   The pistol was fired. The athletes sprang to their feet and raced ahead with all their energy. Sadly, the smallest among the nine stumbled and fell down . An unexplained pain had crippled him. For him, the race was lost.

6. Stanza 5 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. Explanation   He yelled in pain. Frustration and anguish gripped him worsening his body pain. All his sweat, and hardwork went for a toss . His dreams of winning a prize lay in ruins. He looked on helplessly.

7. Stanza 6 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. Explanation   Something strange happened. The rest eight of the athletes , who had trained as hard, noticed the plight of their crippled mate. They turned around and went back to help their friend. They helped him to stand on his feet.

8. Stanza 7 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. Explanation   Thereafter, all the nine athletes walked their way to the finishing line holding one another’s hand. The banner that fluttered read ‘Special Olympics’. It was indeed special, because in no other Olympic, one could see competing athletes leaving their race to help a fellow athlete. It was a sacrifice of the rarest kind , a show of empathy .

9. Stanza 8 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. Explanatio n The 100-yard dash came to a dramatic end when all the nine athletes reached the finish line holding each other’s hands . All nine were awarded a gold medal each. The spectators gave them a standing ovation for demonstrating the most significant values of co-operation, compassion, empathy and concern.