Jasleen asked 7 years ago
Is the poem ‘Nine Gold Medals’ by David Roth referring to any particular Olympics event? Which year did this occur?
The poem ‘Nine Gold Medals’ is based on a story about the nine differently-abled athletes in a Special Olympic event. Though it is perceived to be ‘a true story’, an online report claims it to be partly true.
According to the 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.
Special olympics are referred to in the poem. It’s (special olympics) the world’s largest sports organisation for the people with disabilities. This organisation help those people to develop self confidence and social skills and conducts special olympics every two years and provide training to thse people.
The 100 meter race of nine athletes is the event referred to the poem.
Special Olympics and 100 meter race of nine athletes is the event referred to in the poem.
It happened at the 2003 Special Olympics in Dublin. https://youtu.be/H57AzRJ_Hiw
Refer to the attached video link for the narration of the story by Dr. Keki Mistry, an eye-witness to this remarkable event.
Note : Dr. Mistry accidently says that this event took place in 2001, but actually, it is 2003.