Click the CD for a sample of 9 Gold Medals, which is part of a wonderful CD
titled "Digging Through My Closet" and is available from from Well Mart.
They came to Marin from all over the country
They'd trained all the year through the heat and the cold
Their bodies and minds were prepared for one purpose
To run for a medal of gold.
The spectators crowded around the arena
Cheering on all those young women and men
All were aware that the tension was building
It was time for the final event.
The runners warmed up and their blocks were adjusted
For the 100 meters about to be run
9 resolved athletes coiled at the starting line
Poised for the sound of the gun.
The pistol went off and the athletes exploded
Fired into life by the gun's sudden crack
But the smallest and fasted tripped and then stumbled
And fell face down on the track.
All heard his cry of frustration and anguish
His dreams of a medal so soon at an end
But as sure as I'm standing here singing this story
Here is what happened right then.
The 8 other athletes pulled up on their heels
Those who had trained so long to compete
One by one they all turned round and went back to help him
And brought that young man to his feet.
Then all 9 athletes joined hands and continued
The 100-yard dash now reduced to a walk
And the banner above reading "Special Olympics"
Could not have been more on the mark.
That's how the race ended with 9 gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And the standing ovation and 9 beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will.
