Nine Gold Medals

The athletes had come from all over the country
 To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze
 Many the weeks and the months of their training
 And all coming down to these games
 The spectators gathered around the old field
 For cheering on all the young women and men
 The final event of the day was approaching
 Excitement grew high to begin
 The blocks were all lined up for those who would use them
 The hundred yard dash was the race to be run
 There were nine resolved athletes in back of the starting line
 Poised for the sound of the gun
 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
 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
 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
 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
 For 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
 That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals
 They came to the finish line holding hands still
 And a banner above that said "Special Olympics"
 Said more than these words ever will
 So much more than these words ever will