Treasure Trove Short Storie Workbook Answers My Greatest Olympic Prize
My Greatest Olympic Prize Questions and Answers Extract Based
Question 1.
It was the summer of 1936. The Olympic Games were being held in Berlin. Because Hitler childishly insisted that his performers were members of a “master race,” nationalistic feelings were at an all-time high.
I wasn’t too worried about all this. I’d trained, sweated and disciplined myself for six years, with the Games in mind. While I was going over on the boat, all I could think about was taking home one or two of those gold medals. I had my eye especially on the running broad jump. A year before, as a sophomore at Ohio State University, I’d set the world’s record of 26 feet 8-114 inches. Everyone kind of expected me to win that Olympic event hands down.
(a) When and where were the Olympic Games held ? Why were the Olympic Games a golden opportunity for Hitler ?
Answer:
The Olympic Games were held in the summer of 1936 in Berlin, Germany. The Olympic Games were a golden opportunity for Hitler because through the games, he wanted to exhibit the power and talent of his country and prove to the rest of the world that his Arayan race was superior to all.
(b) In which theory did Hitler believe and why ? What did he think of the German players ?
Answer:
As Hilter was a Nazis leader, he firmly believed in Aryan Superiority theory. He thought that the German players could perform well because they belonged to a master race.
(c) Who was Jesse Owens ? What did he think about Hitler’s theory?
Answer:
Jesse Owens was twenty-two-year old African-American athlete. He thought that Hitler’s theory of Aryan Superiority was a childish thinking and he did not care much of it.
(d) What did Jesse do to break Hitler’s myth ?
Answer:
Jesse had been practising hard and training himself for six years in order to participate in Olympic Games and break Hitler’s theory by winning medals.
(e) What could Jesse Owens think while going to Berlin ? Where was his eye fixed ?
Answer:
While going to Berlin, Jesse Owens could think of winning one or two medals in the Olympic Games. His eye was fixed on broad jump.
(f) What world record had Jesse set ? What did all expect from him?
Answer:
Jesse Owens had set the world’s record of 26 feet 8-1/4 inches. Seeing his previous record all expected that he would easily win medals in the Olympic Games.
Question 2.
I was in for a surprise. When the time came for the broad-jump trials, I was startled to see a tall boy hitting the pit at almost 26 feet on his practice leaps! He turned out to be a German named Luz Long. I was told that Hitler had kept him under wraps, evidently hoping to win the jump with him.
I guessed that if Long won, it would add some new support to the Nazis’ Aryan-superiority theory. After all, I am a Negro. A little hot under the collar about Hitler’s ways, I determined to go out there and really show Der Fuhrer and his master race who was superior and who wasn’t.
(a) What was Hitler’s master race theory ? Why did Jesse Owens dismiss the claim of Hitler as childish ?
Answer:
Hitler’s master race theory was that the Germans belonged to a superior race and they were born to rule over others. Jesse dismissed the claim of Hitler as childish because he thought that Hitler was undoubtedly a dictator, but his casual remark of building the spirit of his athletes had been taken seriously.
(b) Why was Jesse expected to win the gold medal in the long jump hands down ?
Answer:
Owens had set a world record in long jump just the previous year. Moreover, he practised hard for the Olympics, so he was expected to win the gold medal.
(c) Why was Jesse surprised during the broad-jump trials ?
Answer:
When the time came for the broad-jump trials, he was extremely surprised to see that there was a tall boy who had hit the pit at almost twenty six in his practice session.
(d) Who was tall boy ? What did Jesse come to know about him ?
Answer:
The tall boy was Luz Long who was a talented German athlete and was an opponent of Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Jesse came to know that Luz was Adolf Hitler’s trumpcard in the Olympic meet that year with whom Hitler wanted to prove the social superiority of the Aryans.
(e) Why did Jesse dislike Hitler’s theory ? What did he decide and why ?
Answer:
As Jesse was Negro (African-American), he greatly disliked the theory formed by Hitler. He decided to go to the ground because he wanted to show Hitler the superiority of the other players.
(f) What kind of feelings overcame Jesse ? Why ? Why did he foul twice ?
Answer:
Feelings of hatred and anger soon overcame him because he had seen a German athlete Luz Long. The thought of Luz Long’s win adding support to the Nazis’ Aryan superiority theory disturbed him to such an extent that he fouled twice.
Question 3.
An angry athlete is an athlete who will make mistakes, as any coach will tell you. I was no exception. On the first of my three qualifying jumps, I leaped from several inches beyond-the take-off board for a foul. On the second jump, 1 fouled even worse. “Did I come 3000 miles for this?” I thought bitterly. “To foul out of the trials and make a fool of myself?”
Walking a few yards from the pit, I kicked disgustedly at the dirt. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to look into the friendly blue eyes of the tall German broad jumper. He had easily qualified for the finals on his first attempt. He offered me a firm handshake.
(a) What did Jesse think about Luz Long ? What did Jesse want to show ?
Answer:
Jesse thought that if Long won, it would add some new support to the Nazis’ Aryan Superiority theory. Though Jesse was a Negro and was aware of Hitler’s ways, he was determined to go there to win the medal and prove who was superior.
(b) Why could Jesse not qualify in the first two attempts ?
Answer:
When the time came for the trials of long jump in the 1936 Olympic Games, he faltered twice. He could not qualify in the first two attempts as he was terrified by Luz Long and his easy movements in the long jump event.
(c) Explain the following: ‘I was no exception.’
Answer:
An angry athlete is prone to making mistakes. Despite knowing this, Owens got angry that resulted in his under performance which disallowed him to qualify in the first jump.
(d) Why did Jesse Owens kick the pit in disgust ?
Answer:
Due to being angry Hitler’s childish Aryan theory, Jesse had committed mistakes two times. He did not seem to be satisfied with his poor performance. He lept for several inches beyond the take-off point that ended up in disqualification in the first jump of his trials and in the second jump, he fouled even worse. This made him utterly disappointed. In order to give vent to his frustration, he picked disgustedly at the pit.
(e) What did Jesse think after making fouls in his trials ?
Answer:
When, during trial session, Jesse remained failure twice and could not qualify for the final, he thought bitterly if he came three thousand miles for this purpose that he should be dismissed from the competition in his trials and should prove himself a fool.
(f) What did Jesse feel on his shoulder ? Who was standing before him ?
Answer:
Suddenly, Jesse felt the touch of someone’s hand on his shoulder. When he turned back, he saw that the tall German broad jumper who had easily qualified for the finals on his first attempt was stood before him.
Question 4.
“Jesse Owens, I’m Luz Long. I don’t think we’ve met.” He spoke English well, though with a German twist to it.
“Glad to meet you,” I said. Then, trying to hide my nervousness, I added, “How are you?”
“I’m fine. The question is: How are you ?” “What do you mean ?” I asked. “Something must be eating you,” he said—proud the way foreigners are when they’ve mastered a bit of American slang. “You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed.”
“Believe me, I know it,” I told him—and it felt good to say that to someone.
(a) Why did Luz come up to Jesse ? What kind of feelings did Luz have for Jesse ?
Answer:
Luz had already observed that Jesse was highly upset at his being failure in trial session, so he (Luz) came up to Jesse to console him. Luz seemed to be friendly for Luz.
(b)Why did Luz offer Jesse a firm handshake ?
Answer:
A German athlete Luz Long who seemed to be kind and sympathetic towards Jesse, offered him (Jesse) a firm handshake because Luz wanted to develop friendly relation with him.
(c) What did Jesse try to conceal from Luz ? Why did Luz say to Jesse that ‘something must be eating you’ ?
Answer:
While meeting with Luz, Jesse tried to conceal the signs of nervousness which were clearly visible at his face. Luz told Jesse that there was something that was troubling him because he had already noticed that Jesse was extremely disappointed at being failure in his first two attempts.
(d) Explain the following : ‘He spoke English well, though with a German twist to it.’
Answer:
While introducing himself, Luz spoke to Jesse in English. Though Luz seemed well-versed in American English, he had tinge of German language in English. ’
(e) What kind of feeling did Luz have while speaking to Jesse in American language ?
Answer:
When Luz Long spoke to Jesse, he had the feeling of proud like that foreigner who, after being well-versed in American language, is able to speak like an American and feels proud.
(f) How did Luz try to console Jesse ? How did Jesse react ?
Answer:
Luz tried to console Jesse by telling him that if he jumped with his eyes closed, he would be able to qualify for final. At this Jesse responded saying that he knew he could do well.
Question 5.
Although he’d been schooled in the Nazi youth movement, he didn’t believe in the Aryan-supremacy business any more than I did. We laughed over the fact that he really looked the part, though. An inch taller than I, he had a lean, muscular frame, clear blue eyes, blond hair and a strikingly handsome, chiseled face. Finally, seeing that I had calmed down somewhat, he pointed to the take-off board.
“Look,” he said. “Why don’t you draw a line a few inches in back of the board and aim at making your take-off from there? You’ll be sure not to foul, and you certainly ought to jump far enough to qualify. What does it matter if you’re not first in the trials1 Tomorrow is what counts.”
(a) Did Jesse reveal to Luz what was eating him ? If not, why ? What was actually eating Jesse Owens ?
Answer:
Jesse did not reveal to Luz what was eating (troubling) him because Luz was just an acquaintance then, apart from being a Nazi rival. Jesse was preoccupied with disturbing thought of fouling in the finals.
(b) What does the line ‘tomarrow is what counts’ signify ?
Answer:
Luz’s advice ‘tomarrow is what counts’ makes Jesse Owens come back from his rage and short temper to calm down and qualify for the final.
(c) What helped Jesse to calm down somewhat ? What advice did Luz give to Jesse ?
Answer:
Luz’s friendly way of talking to Jesse and his generous attitude helped him (Jesse) to calm down somewhat. Luz gave Jesse a genuinely friendly advice to draw a line a few inches from the take off board to avoid over-stepping and thus fouling.
(d) Why did Jesse Owens foul the first two jumps in the trial ?
Answer:
Jesse seemed to be angry at Hitler’s sly introduction of Luz Long to prove Aryan Superiority. He, being a Negro, hated it and his anger at Hitler’s way belittled his determination to win Olympics, so he was made to foul in the first two attempts.
(e) Why did Luz Long not hesitate to go and inspire Jesse Owens ?
Answer:
Though Luz Long had been schooled in the Nazi movement, he did not believe in the theory of Aryan Superiarity. He was a human being of true worth as he felt and cared for people. Therefore he did not hesitate to go and inspire Jesse Owens to qualify for the final.
(f) What kind of physical appearance did Luz have ?
Answer:
Luz was an inch taller than Jesse. He had clear blue eyes. He had golden hair and his face was chiseled undoubtedly, he was the man of an impressive personality.
Question 6.
Suddenly all the tension seemed to ebb out of my body as the truth of what he said hit me. Confidently, I drew a line a full foot in back of the board and proceeded to jump from there. I qualified with almost a foot to spare.
That night I walked over to Luz Long’s room in the Olympic village to thank him. I knew that if it hadn’t been for him I probably wouldn’t be jumping in the finals the following day. We sat in his quarters and talked for two hours — about track and field, ourselves, the world situation, a dozen other things.
(a) How did Jesse Owens feel at Luz Long’s suggestion ?
Answer:
At Luz Long’s suggestion, Jesse felt that his mind and body had become relaxed extently and all the tension seemed to be disappearing from his body.
(b) What truth had dawned upon him (Jesse) ?
Answer:
Jesse was an honest man who accepted his own shortcomings and came to know how a great sportsperson can also fail if he or she is psychologically anxious about something.
(c) How did Jesse get success in qualifying for the final ?
Answer:
Jesse followed Luz’s advice and confidently, he drew a line a full foot in back of the board and proceeded to jump from there and thus he qualified with almost a foot spare.
(d) Where did Jesse go that night and why ?
Answer:
On the night of the trials, Jesse Owens went to Luz Long’s room in the Olympic village to thank him because he was highly obliged to Luz’s precious advice. He was well known to the fact that without Luz’s advice, he would not have qualified for the event.
(e) What were the topics of their talking ? What did they know ?
Answer:
They had been talking for two hours—about track and field, themselves, the world situation and a down other things. Both of them were very well aware of the fact that a true and honest friendship had been formed between them.
(f) What could Jesse guess about Luz Long who won the gold medal in long jump ?
Answer:
Jesse could guess that Luz wanted him to do his best—even if that meant his (Jesse’s) winning. Luz Long broke his past record in long jump. However it was Jesse Owens who won the gold medal by jumping 26 feet 5-5/16 inches.
Question 7.
As it turned out, Luz broke his own past record. In doing so, he pushed me on to a peak performance. I remember that at the instant I landed from my final jump— the one which set the Olympic record of 26 feet 5-5/16 inches— he was at my side, congratulating me. Despite the fact that Hitler glared at us from the stands not a hundred yards away, Luz shook my hand hard— and it wasn’t a fake “smile with a broken heart” sort of grip, either.
(a) What did Jesse think about Luz for the event which was going to take place the next day ?
Answer:
Jesse thought that the next day Luz would go to the field and would try to defeat Jesse if he could. But along with that Luz also wanted him to do his best.
(b) Who broke his last record ? How did Luz Long respond at Jesse’s winning gold ?
Answer:
Luz broke his last record. Long was beside Owens congratulating him when Owens finished his jump. He gave Owens a firm handshake that was devoid of any jealousy.
(c) How did Jesse feel at that moment when Luz was congratulating him with genuine smile on his face ?
Answer:
At that moment when Luz was congratulating Jesse at his winning with genuine happiness and smile, Jesse felt that if he could melt down all the gold medals and cups he had, they could not be plating on the 24-carat friendship he had with Luz.
(d) Why did Hitler glare at Luz Long and Jesse Owens ?
Answer:
Hitler had nurtured Long to win the Olympics. Not only did Luz Long lose the game but was congratulating Owens heartily on his victory. This made Hitler angry, so he glared at Luz Long and Jesse.
(e) Who was Coubertin ? What is the true spirit of Olympic according to Coubertin ?
Answer:
Coubertin was the founder of modem Olympic Games. According to him, the true spirit of Olympic is not winning but taking part. It is not winning but fighting well that matters.
(f) Who was a good example of Olympic spirit ? What was the gratest Olympic prize to Jesse ?
Answer:
Luz Long was a good example of Olympic spirit. To Jesse Owens, the greatest Olympic prize is not the gold medal but his new and noble friendship with Luz Long.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How did Jesse feel that he was relieved from all the tension and was overpowered with confidence ?
Answer:
Jesse seemed to be highly disappointed and frustrated at his failure for not qualifying for the final. He had grown so upset that he kicked disgustedly at the dust. Luz Long who was a German athlete and had easily qualified for the finals on his first attempt, was looking all this. He came to Jesse and put his hand on his shoulder. When Jesse turned back, he saw before him a tall German jumper who seemed to be friendly. Luz Long spoke to him that something was troubling him. Then, consoling Jesse, Luz Long told him that if (Jesse) jumped with his eyes closed, he would be able to qualify.
Finally, when Luz felt that Jesse had now calmed down, he (Luz) pointed to the starting line and talked about it. He advised Jesse to draw a line a few inches in back of the board and start running from there and thus he would avoid mistake in the game. And by doing so, there was a golden chance for Jesse to qualify for final. Luz also persuaded Jesse saying that it did not matter much that he was not selected in his first trial. Having been consoled by Luz, Jesse felt relaxed. It seemed to him that all the tension had gone from his mind. He had known the truth that was spoken to him. Confidently, Jesse drew a line a full foot in back of the board and proceeded to jump from there. He qualified with almost a foot to spare.
Question 2.
How did Luz Long exemplify the true sporting spirit ? Explain the reference to Coubertin.
Answer:
Luz Long’s True Sporting Spirit: Luz Long, noticing a world record holder pathetically fouling, understood the reason behind it. Without hesitation, despite being an opponent, he extended an arm of friendship to Owens. Long was expected to beat Owens in the finals. His being friendly with Owens would only result angering his leader. But without paying any heed to that, he gave his rival crucial tips to avoid fouling. Owens took Luz’s advice and won.
When Owens finished his jump, he found Long by his side congratulating him on his victory, not bothering about his leader’s glares. He did not seem to mind his loss. Though Luz had lost the game, he was happy to see his friend’s success. His demeanour and handshake, at Owen’s victory, showed no sign of jealousy either. Long was epitome of the message of Coubertin that not winning, but taking part in Olympics is more important.
Long’s Belief in Coubertin’s Words: Coubertin had declared that taking part in Olympics was more important than winning. Luz Long, being a true sportsman and an amazing human being, helped his fellow sportsman to qualify in his jump that made him win. This shows Long believed in participating rather than winning. His rival’s winning did not make him jealous. On the contrary, he congratulated him with all his heart. This clearly exemplifies that Long believed in Coubertin’s words and passed the thought to Owens.
Question 3.
Describe the professional rivalry and professional friendship of Owens and Long. Which is considered as the greatest Olympic prize ? Why?
Answer:
Professional Rivalry and Friendship : Initially Owens saw Luz Long as his professional rival since Long was indeed brought in by Hitler to beat Owens. His anger led to his fouling in the trials. Long who noticed the unnatural development of a crisis in a world record holder, counseled Owens to focus on the jump by giving him a valuable tip. This not only took Owens by surprise, but also eased him and allowed him the opportunity to believe Long thus breaking the ice.
Jesse Owens later visited Long at the quarters and they spent sometime knowing each other. This paved way for building genuine friendship between the two. When Owens won the finals, Long was beside him congratulating him on his victory. Owens could sense no jealousy or regret in Long’s demeanour or handshake. It was a platonic wish coming right from the bottom of Long’s heart. He respected Long for it and knew that a strong friendship had bloomed between them.
Friendship, the Greatest Olympic Prize : Luz Long’s friendship was the gratest Olympic Prize that Owens ever won in his life. Luz Long’s compassion and comradeship touched Owens. Luz Long recognised the battle in Owens’ mind and offered him a valuable tip. He was genuinely happy for Owens when he won the gold. Luz was Owens’ side, congratulating him. It is very rare for a rival to offer professional tips but Long did. It is very rare for a rival to congratulate the winner without feeling a pang of jealousy. But Long felt none. What Long felt was evident in what he said and how he looked. His selflessness proves that he was an epitome of goodness and true sportsmanship. His congratulating Owens on his victory was of greater value to Owens than the gold medal itself. Owens felt that nothing could equalise the friendship that formed between the two.
Question 4.
What aspects of true sportsmanship does the story portray ?
Answer:
A true sportsman does not merely compete, but plays the sports in the right spirit where his ambition is to be champion and showcase to the world comradeship for fellow sportspersons. A true sportsperson plays the game with all fairness. A true sportsperson feels for the fellow sportspersons as Luz Long understands the problem of Jesse Ov ens and gives him correct advice so as to make him qualify for the long jump final and ultimately win the event.
A true sportsperson takes the game as a game and does not care of winning or losing. He maintains balance in both conditions. A true sportsperson fights the opponent with all fairness and accepts win or loss with grandeur. Therefore Luz Long was the first one to go and congratulate Jesse Owens as he won the gold medal in the long jump of 1936 Olympic Games even though he was his gratest rival. Next, a ture sportsperson should not be short tempered and should not lose his cool mind under any circumstances as it can be the reason of his or her failure. Jesse Owens committed mistakes in his first two attempts of long jump trial because he had lost his calmness after seeing Luz Long.
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