Nine Gold Medals - An Essay

Nine Gold Medals - An Essay

Introduction

Nine Gold Medals by David Roth is an inspiring poem about kindness, empathy, cooperation and the true spirit of sportsmanship. The poem describes a race at the Special Olympics in which nine athletes prepare themselves to compete. Although the race begins as an ordinary competition, an unexpected incident changes its meaning completely. One runner falls, and the other eight athletes stop their race to help him. They finally cross the finishing line together. Through this simple but powerful incident, Roth shows that compassion and human fellowship can be more valuable than individual victory.

The Setting of the Race

The poem begins by describing athletes who have spent many weeks and months training for the games. Spectators gather around the field to encourage the young competitors. The final event is the hundred-yard dash, and nine determined athletes stand ready at the starting line. The atmosphere is full of excitement and expectation. Everyone appears to be waiting for the traditional result of a race: one person will finish first and receive the highest prize. This preparation makes the later decision of the runners even more meaningful.