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Special Olympics

Submitted by Pravs J on Wednesday, 29 July 200914 Comments

Special Olympics

A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled challenged, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.

All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back. Every one of them.

One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.” All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together.

Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves.

What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

—

Origins:
The story is more true than not, although its primary point has been grossly exaggerated. According to folks at the Special Olympics Washington office, the incident happened at a 1976 track and field event held in Spokane, Washington. A contestant did take a tumble, and one or two of the other athletes turned back to help the fallen one, culminating in their crossing the finish line together, but it was only one or two, not everyone in the event. The others continued to run their race.

The story is thus not about an entire class of “special people” who spontaneously tossed aside their own dreams of going for gold in favor of helping a fallen competitor, but rather one about a couple of individuals who chose to go to the aid of another contestant. Unfortunately, this tale as it is now being told helps further a stereotype that deficiencies in intelligence are compensated for by unfailingly sweet natures and a way of looking at the world in childlike wonder.

Special Olympians train long and hard for their events and are every bit as committed as athletes who compete in any other athletic endeavors. The Special Olympics are not a casual get-together organized to give less fortunate members of the community a day to socialize and perhaps run in a foot race or two. They’re highly organized sporting events taken very seriously by all involved, with each competitor striving to do his best. It’s about trying. And succeeding.

The Special Olympics oath is “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

14 Comments »

  • subbu said:

    “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

    - 29 July 2009 at 3:58 am
  • Manda said:

    This stopped me in my track!

    - 29 July 2009 at 5:34 am
  • bat said:

    Thank you.

    - 29 July 2009 at 5:38 am
  • Ri said:

    He said ~ Winning isn’t getting ahead of others..It’s getting ahead of yourself. ~

    The Special Olympics oath is “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

    For Olympic of life ;-P

    - 29 July 2009 at 5:00 pm
  • Legolas said:

    Hi Pravs,

    A very gentle request to you.. We don’t call ‘physically or mentally

    disabled’.. With due respect, we call them as ‘physically or mentally

    challenged’..So please do the needful change..Sorry if I’ve mentioned

    it directly. N Please delete this comment after change.. Let the

    light of good thoughts be showered on us..

    - 30 July 2009 at 5:45 am
  • Parveen said:

    I can’t imagine anything better than this..!!!

    - 30 July 2009 at 10:23 am
  • Pravs J (author) said:

    @ Legolas

    Point taken and my apologies for overlooking the same. Thank you for pointing out.

    - 30 July 2009 at 1:02 pm
  • Legolas said:

    @Pravs

    Hi Pravs.. Thank You For Making The Change…

    - 31 July 2009 at 5:51 am
  • SAMANNAZ said:

    thanks

    - 1 August 2009 at 4:24 am
  • sandy said:

    I dont know weather it is write or wrong to say this, but this is my true feeling.

    We call people physically challanged and mentally challanged, this not what bothers them but the sympathy that fellow citizens show to them.
    They do not want sympathy but they want oppourtunity to compeate in this world, they are not losers.

    Friends next time when you see someone like that dont show sympathy towards them but respect them and encourage them.

    - 2 August 2009 at 7:05 am
  • Ratemo Sammy said:

    Knowlegde is power. Its my believe that all this information will empower the people to be critical thinkers and act rationally.

    - 31 August 2009 at 2:21 pm
  • Haripriya said:

    I felt my tears while reading the last lines of the story….a very nice collection and nice attempt …. great job guys…

    - 13 October 2009 at 12:10 pm
  • JOSEPH MALLARI said:

    It’s true that the best way to cheer-up yourself is to cheer-up somebody else…you are in the best path my friend!!!Godbless and cheer-up!!!

    - 10 March 2010 at 5:46 am
  • Vuzzy said:

    what Sandy said it’s very true and powerful.

    - 12 March 2010 at 8:00 am

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