Printable version
The race starts in less than five minutes. I am ready. I have prepared for this moment for many years and I'm in peak condition. My fellow athletes are also ready. They look focussed and determined. I know I must be at my very best if I am to triumph today, because only the very best can become the Olympic champion. I want that gold medal. It's mine. It belongs to me.
My coach has prepared me well, both physically and psychologically, I am ready. But, in my mind I have another hope, another dream. I haven't seen my father since I was a child. He left home when things became difficult and disappeared out of my life. All because of me and who I am. I hope he is here in the stadium, watching me. But will I recognize him? I don't know. And there are thousands of people out there. But his presence means more than gold to me.
All the competitors are called to the start of the 1500m final. The stadium is full to capacity, and the noise from the spectators is deafening. Then I see a face in the crowd, near the finishing line. It is a face I remember from years ago. He is there, holding up a huge photo of me and a banner with the words, "Your Dad loves you!". He has come.
His appearance gives me even more determination to win, and to show him I still love him. I position my wheelchair at the start line and wait for the starting gun. 'Take your marks!'... bang!!!' The race starts and it's so fast. The muscles in my arms begin to burn with effort. After 800m the Russian is in the lead and I am in third, but slowly beginning to catch up with the leader. I hear my father call out to me, and his voice gives me extra strength. I catch the Russian on the home straight and cross the line in first place. I am Olympic champion.
My father is on the track, running towards me, holding our country's flag. As he reaches me, tears of joy fill my eyes. He embraces me. ''m so sorry my daughter,' he says, 'I love you, I'm so sorry for leaving you.' His face is wet with tears as he passes me the flag, and together we do a lap of honour around the stadium. I have an Olympic gold medal, but some things are worth more than gold.
Adjectives
peak:
The highest level of something.
fellow:
Describes people who work, study or do something the same as you.
focussed:
Giving all your attention to something. Concentrating on it.
determined:
Wanting to do something and you won't let anyone stop you.
deafening:
Very loud.
huge:
Very big.
Verbs
triumph:
To win or succeed, often in a difficult situation.
recognize:
To know who someone is, because you have seen them before.
burn:
In this case meaning to become hot and painful.
cross (a
line): To go from one side of a line to the other side.
embrace (a
person): To hold someone closely in your arms, in a friendly or loving
way.
Nouns
condition (health):
A person's state of health or fitness.
an athlete:
Someone who does sports.
a champion:
The winner of a final competition.
a stadium:
A large building for sports events and watching sports.
presence:
Being in a particular place in an important way.
a competitor:
Someone who is taking part in a race or competition.
a spectator:
Someone who watches a sporting event.
a banner:
A long piece of card or cloth, on which something is written or painted.
an appearance: In
this case meaning 'arrival and being seen by someone'.
a wheelchair:
A seat with large wheels that is used by people who cannot walk.
a starting gun:
The gun that is used to start a race.
effort:
Physical or mental energy and work.
a home straight:
The final 100m of a race.
a lap of honour:
When the winner of a race walks or runs around the track after the race
to celebrate.
Adverbs
physically:
Of the body, not the mind.
psychologically:
Of the mind, not the body.