Nine Gold Medals Summary by David Roth

Nine Gold Medals Summary by David Roth

Olympics are held once every four years. Athletes from all over the world train hard to participate in this event. Winning a medal in the Olympics is the dream and the ultimate goal of every athlete of the world. However, the setting of the scene of this poem is that of ‘Special Olympics’. In these Olympics, differently-abled persons, who have some problems in a particular part of the body, participate in various sports events. The contestants put in a lot of preparation and practice. Everyone hopes to win a medal. The spectators are as excited as the contestants. They cheer and encourage the contestants.

Of all the events in Olympics, the hundred-metre race is the most prestigious. The athlete who wins it, is remembered as the fastest man in the world. So, for Special Olympics mentioned in the poem, this was the final event, hence the most prestigious. The hundred-yard race was about to begin. The athletes took position at the starting blocks. They began to run immediately after the starting pistol was fired. However, one of them was unable to run and fell down on the track. The action had begun and already one episode had taken place. Now it could be noticed how eight contestants were strong and ran forward, while the ninth, who was the smallest, fell down. He cried out with pain of disappointment. He had trained hard but did not get the opportunity to show his talent. All his dreams of winning the medal were shattered.

When the remaining eight contestants saw him fall, they, instead of continuing the race, came to the help of their fellow contestant. All the athletes had dreamt of winning the medal. However, they readily forgot their dream and came forword to help the boy. Then all the nine contestants walked hand- in-hand to the finish line. The audience was so moved by the exemplary behaviour of the contestants that it stood up and clapped. There were now nine winners, instead of one and each one was given a gold medal. All the contestants displayed empathy turning the Special Olympics into a really ‘special’ one.

Nine Gold Medals Poem Summary Introduction

The poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth, is based on an imaginary situation of a race in Special Olympics which is meant for differently abled persons. The poet focuses on the importance of Special Olympics which is the world’s largest sports organisation for people with disabilities. This organisation helps these people to develop self-confidence and social skills. As a global movement, Special Olympics aim at making world a better healthier and more joyful place. Through this poem, we come to know that the hundred yard race is an event organised in Special Olympics. In Special Olympics, the runners participating in the race display the spirits of friendliness, kindness, team work and cooperation. They empathise with the one who falls down during the race and help him instantly at the cost of losing the race.

In fact the poem brings out the ideas of compassion, team work and sportsmanship through the exemplary behaviour of the athletes. He shows how human values are as important as the spirit of competition. In the poem, the , contestants leave aside their desire to win the medal to help a smaller and weaker contestant and they all go hand-in-hand to the finishing line. Ultimately we come to know that sports is not only about winning medals but also they are about learning the values of cooperation, sharing, competing and complementing.

Nine Gold Medals Summary Stanzawise Word-Meanings, Paraphrase and Explanation

1. The atheless ………………………. the games
Word-meanings : Athletes = the persons who are trained to compete in physical exercise and sports, especially running and jumping. Gold, silver and bronze = these are medals which are given to those participants or contestants who stand first, second and third in any national or international level competition. Many……. training = putting in a lot of preparations and practice. All ……. games = all are well prepared. No one wants to lose the chance of winning medals.

Paraphrase : The poem begins with the occasion of a ‘Special Olympics’ which meant for differently abled persons. It was an international sports event which was very prestigious for every athlete who was participating in it. Many athletes joined the ‘Special Olympics’. They came from different countries to participate in various sports events. They were full of the spirits of enthusiasm, coimage and valour. They were overwhelmed with the strong desire of winning medals for their nations. They were fired with the longing to win a medal, gold, silver or bronze. They were very well aware of the fact that the competition would be very tough. They had trained themselves for months so as to participate in the athletic events and emerge victorious.

Reference to the Context: These lines showing an imaginary situation of a race in which the contestants were ready to compete against one another to win the medal, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet describes an international athletic event where the sportspersons from different countries had come together to run for medals. All of them reared dreams and aspirations in their hearts to win medals.

Explanation : Once Special Olympic games which meant for physically challenged sportspersons, were organised. In this international sports event, many athlete? come to participate. All of them had dreams of achieving medals in this prestigious event. They had cherished great determination, strong desire and aspiration to get success in the event. By winning medals, they want to bring name and fame for themselves and for their nation. All of them had been strenuously practising for months to run and to win and thus they had prepared themselves in everyway for winning the medals. Nine athletes had qualified for the final race of hundred metres. All the nine athletes were ready to run hundred metre race.

Critical Comments :

1. Setting or scene is related to ‘Special Olympics’ which is organised-once every two years. It is meant for diffemtly abled persons.
2. As a global movement, Special Olympics aim at making world a better, healthier and mpre joyful place.
3. In these lines, the poet presents the scene of the last event hundred’ metre race.

2. All round ………………… to begin.
Word-meanings : Spectators = persons watching an event of sports. Gathered = had assembled. Cheering = encouraging. All……. men = all the young participants. Final event = the last race of the event. Approaching = arriving.

Paraphrase : The viewers had reached the ground where the last race of the event was going to take place. They had gathered around the ground so that they could encourage those participants or contestants who took part in that race competition. The final event of the day was about to begin. It was the last race, a hundred-metre race. There was a lot of excitement in the crowd. The participants also seemed to be in great excitement as they were hopeful to win the medals.

Reference to the Context: These lines presenting the sight of the final event of the Special Olympics, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet describes the exciting sight of the ground where the last event of the Special Olympics was going to take place. The hundred-metre race was about to begin. Not only the athletes but also the spectators were full of enthusiasm and excitement.

Explanation: Nine athletes who had qualified for the final race of hundred metres were fully prepared. It was the test of their preparations which they had been making for a long time. With their strong desire, determination and dream of winning the medal, they were about to enter the ground. The spectators, had already gathered all around the ground to encourage the players. They seemed to be as excited as the participants. All were aware of the fact that it was the final event of the day. The last race was going to begin.

Critical Comments :

1. In these lines, the poet brings to us the imaginary sight of last event of the Special Olympics.
2. The poet shows how the spectators and players are seen excited before the beginning of any event.

3. The loudspeakers …………………the gun.
Word-meanings : Called out = announced the names. Stood there = took position at the starting line. Determined = resolved. Poised = became ready. For the sound of the gun = waiting for the pistol shot as a starting signal.

Paraphrase: An announcement on the loudspeakers was made to call the names of those participants who were participating in this final race and were asked to come m the starting point of the race. All the nine young athletes, on hearing the announcement came forward and took position at the starting blocks. All the contestants participating in the race were full of enthusiasm and aspiration. They seemed to be determined to give their best performance. Now they were ready to run and were waiting for the sound of the gun to start running.

Reference to the Context: These lines depicting the last event of hundred metre race of the Special Olympics which was about to start and the excitement that pervaded the atmosphere of the ground, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet tells us about the determination and strong will power of winning the race of those athletes who were called to run the final race.

Explanation: The atmosphere of the ground was favourable to those nine athletes who were about to come on the track to run their final race of hundred metres. As it happens in an international event, before the race started, the name of all those nine althletes participating in the race were announced through loudspeakers. Those whose names were called, stood there with their determination at the starting line and took their position. Now they seemed to be fully concentrated at the sound of gun fire which meant to start the race.

Critical Comments :

1. In these lines, the poet presents an imaginary sight of the final event of the Special Olympics.
2. The poet shows how the athletes focussed on winning the race and how they were determined to win the race.
3. Without strong will power and determination, no great achievement can be made.

4. The signal.. ………………… to the ground.
Word-meanings : Signal = an indication for running. Pistol = a starting pistol used to signal. Exploded = burst with the loud noise. And so……. sound = On hearing the sound of firing, all the nine runners began to run. Youngest = merely a boy. Stumbled = hit his foot against and fell. Staggered = lost balance.

Paraphrase : All the nine athletes (runners) standing at the starting line of the race, were in full concentration waiting for the sound of the gun to start running. The pistol sound was made to signal the beginning of the race and as soon as the runners heard the loud noise of firing, they started to run to reach their final destination. But an unexpected thing took place as they started running. One 6f the youngest contestants among them stumbled and lost his balance and fell on his knees on the running track. Perhaps, due to being merely a boy, he was weaker contestant and his legs gave in and he fell.

Reference to the Context: These lines presenting the tragic fate of the youngest athlete who fell on the running track, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet describes the tragedy which took place with the youngest athlete who, as the race started, fell on the track due to stumbling and could not run. And thus his dream of winning the medal was shattered.

Explanation : As it was known to all the athletes participating in the final event of race that to win gold in the international sports event was very prestigious and it could bring fame and name for them, they seemed to preserving their will power and determination. But a tragic incident took place with the youngest one. When the signal was given with the pistol fire and the race started, the youngest athlete stumbled, staggered and fell on the running track. By falling on the track, he had lost the opportunity to win the gold medal. His aspirations and dreams were shattered. He was entirely broken and was surrounded with the feelings of utter disappointment.

Critical Comments:

1. These lines are full of sorrow and lament at the tragic fate of the youngest athlete.
2. Here the poet brings to us the real picture of the imaginary sight because he presents the inner feelings of those who, after being failure in fulfilling their dream of winning gold medal in any international event, are utterly broken in heart and feel disappointed.

5. He gave …………………occurred.
Word-meanings: Gave……. frustration = cried in utter disappointment. Anguish = severe mental or physical pain or suffering. Dashed in the dirt = perished into dust; shattered; came to nothing. It’s……. one = something strange and unexpected happened. Occurred = took place.

Paraphrase : As the youngest contestant fell on the ground on his knee, he was shaken to the core of heart. He could not think even in his dream that such unexpected thing would take place with him. Indeed it was a sudden jerk to his life when he, with a strong desire and determination was going to make an achievement. He was on such a turn of life that was his greatest dream and aspiration and for this he had been waiting for a longer. The youngest athlete gave a loud cry in utter disappointment. He felt a great pain to see his dreams and aspirations shattering. His efforts brought him no fruit to him but in vain. The poet who was standing there, saw everything. He kept saying that afterwards something very strange and incredible happened there.

Reference to the Context: These lines showing how the youngest athlete felt after being failure in the final race, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medqls, written by David Roth.

Here the poet describes the heart-moving sight of the fallen athlete. The fallen athlete was completely broken in heart. He was full of frustration and disappointment. His heart was crying in pain at his failure.

Explanation: As the athletes began to run immediately after the starting pistol was fired, one of the youngest fellows, somewhat weak physically, fell on the running track and could not run again. He cried out in pain, frustration and disappointment. His sole dream of winning medal in this prestigious competition was completely shattered. All his efforts and preparations proved futile. He had trained hard but did not get opportunity to show his talent. But whatever happened next was very strange and astonishing. The next happening stunned every present in the ground. Such strange thing did not happen in this competition by now.

Critical Comments:

1. In these lines the poet brings to us a very heart-touching sight of the youngest athlete who, after being failed, was wholly broken in spirits.
2. The pain and mental auguish which the youngest fellow felt makes the atmosphere of the ground gloomy.
3. The poet creates suspense by saying that the next was going to happen very strange and surprising

6. The eight other …………………his feet.
Word-meanings : Tracks = racing paths on which the runners run. To compete = to try to win or achieve something, or to try to be better than some body else. One by one = one after another. Turned round = changed their minds and turned back to see the injured athlete. Lad = boy. And lifted ….. feet = the other eight athletes supported the young contestant and lifted him to his feet.

Paraphrase : On hearing the loud cry of the youngest contestant, the remaining eight contestants stopped their race and looked hack at their fallen fellow. As all those were determined to win the race and it was their sole aim, they were not expected to stop but continue. All of them had trained themselves for so long to compete and win. It was their ultimate destination to fulfil their dreams arid aspirations, but instead of reaching their final goal, they, one by one, turned round and came back to the fallen athlete. Supporting the youngest athlete, they lifted him to his feet. Indeed, it was a very wonderful and worth praising sight of this event. No one had seen such a sight in his or her life.

Reference to the Context : These lines conveying the idea of empathy and human values and message that what values most in life is the sense of sharing others’ pains and sorrows, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

The poet has projected human values through an imaginary situation. He brings to us that true sportsmanship lies in sharing others’ pains and being helpful and cooperative towards others. Those eight athletes who were full of the spirits of competition, gave importance to human values and showed true sportsmanship by helping their fallen fellow athlete.

Explanation : According to the poet, when the youngest fellow who was competing with other eight athletes, had fallen on the running track by stumbling.

He gave out a loud cry in utter pain, frustration and disappointment. As soon as the other fellows heard his cry, they atonce stopped at their places and instead of contiuning the race, turned back one by one and came to the help of their fallen companion. Though they had been training and preparing, themselves for a long ,tinie for this important moment, they forgot their mission and came to help the fallen fellow. They lifted their fellow to his feet.

Critical Comments :

1. Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings from one’s poinl; of view.
2. Sportsmanship implies that a sport activity can be enjoyed for its own Sake, with consideration for fairness, respect and a sense of fellowship with ’ ‘ one’s competitors.

7. Then all nine ………………… the mark.
Word-meanings : Joined hands = held each other’s hands. Continued…….. walk = instead of running, walked towards the finish line. Reduced = changed into. Banner = a long strip of cloth bearing a slogan or design, carried in a demonstration or procession or hung in a public place. Special Olympics = the name given to the Olympic games for differently abled athletes.

Paraphrase : As the other eight contestants heard the loud cry of their fallen fellow, they at once stopped their race and instead of completing the race, they turned back to help him. They lifted him on his knee giving him support. Then all the nine athletes joined hand, and walked hand-in-harid to the finishing line. Thus hundred metre race had been changed into a walk of hundred metres. The poet says that the banner hanging above said that it is ‘Special Olympics’. Indeed it was the Special Olympics as the contestants’ worth praising behaviour enhanced the uniqueness of the event.

Reference to the Context : These lines celebrating human values ‘pertaining to kindness, cooperation and empathy, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet indicates how human values in sportsperson are as important ‘ as thte spirit of competition. Indeed, it was the spirit of true sportsmanship which forced the eight athlete to leave their race incomplete and to come forward ‘ to help their fallen fellow.

Explanation: The nine runners were participating in Special Olympics to achieve their dreams of winning the gold medal. All of them had been strenuously practising for months to run and to win, but a tragic situation came in their way. While running to achieve their goal, the youngest runner fell down by stumbling and the other eight runners, leaving their mission in the midway helped the fallen fellow. Thus they set aside their desire to win. They empathised with him. They came together as a group. They stood by each other. Joining each other’s hands, they continued their race not by running but by walking. The banner above read ‘Special Olympics’, was appropriate as the contestants’ 1 behaviour added the uniqueness of the event.

Critical Comments :

1. In order to enchance the quality of our life we need to develop empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and accept others who are different from us.
2. Empathy works wonders when applied. It encourages positive behaviour towards others who are in need.
3. The poet also shows that empathetic behaviour is applauded by all.

8. That’s how …………………ever will.
Word-meanings: Finish line = the line on which the race ends. Holding….. still = they still joined their hands together. Standing ovation = the spectators stood up from their seats. Beaming = very happy.

Paraphrase: Then, all the contestants holding each other’s hands walked to the finishing line and they reached on the ultimate mark. Having reached at the finishing point they were still holding hands. Now, there was not one winner but nine winners. Each of them was given a gold medal, for they completed their race together. The audience was so moved by the exemplary behaviour of the contestants that it stood up and clapped. All the contestants displayed empathy turning the Special Olympics into a really special one. The banner above read ‘Special Olympics’ and the nine smiling faces spoke more than the words that the poet wrote to narrate the incident.

Reference to the Context : These lines showing that sports is not only wihning medals but they are also about learning the values of cooperation, sharing, competing and complementing, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold medals, written by David Roth.

By presenting the idea of empathy, the poet points out how human values are as important as the spirit of competition. The poet presents the situation of a race where the contestants leave aside their desire to win the medal to help a smaller and weaker contestant.

Explanation: On hearing the painful cry of the youngest fellow, the eight runners who seemed to be determined to win the gold medal after making rigorous practice and preparation, stopped their race in the midway and turned back to help their fallen fellow showing true sportsmanship. By lifting him on his feet, all they stood together and joining each other’s hands started walking to the finishing line. In this way all the athletes finished their race.

Even after reaching on the finishing line, they still held hands together. Now there was not one who won gold medal but all the nine athletes were awarded with nine gold medals. The audience was so much moved by this remarkable and unique sight that it stood up and clapped for their wonderful behaviour. All the contestants displayed empathy turning the Special Olympics into a really special one.

Critical Comments :

1. Simply stated, empathy is the ability to put oneself in another shoes. That is exactly what the eight contestants had done.
2. The athletes participating in the race in Special Olympics display friendliness, kindness, team work and cooperation.

Nine Gold Medals Summary About the Poet

David Lee Roth was born on October 10, 1954, in Bloomington, Indiana. Now famous for his distinctive vocals, an well as his rowdy and, sometimes, rouhchy stage personer, Roth started life as the son of an opthalmologist. Some of is early musical favourites were jazz artist at Jolson and R & B legend Ray ‘ Chanles. During the summers, Roth would often visit his uncle Manny in New York City. His uncle ran the club Cafe Wha in the Greenwish Village neighbourhood, a popular hot spot for such famous talents as Bob Dylan.

Roth moved to Caligomia with his family as a teenager. He began prforming in high school by joining a band. As a student at Pasadenar City College, Rath studied music theory for a time. There, he befriended Eddie and Alex Van Halen, two brother from the Netherlands who played together in a band called Mammoth. Roth played with several bands himself, including Red Ball jets. Roth later joined Mammoth, which soon changed its name to Van Halen after learning another group already had rights to ‘Mammoth’.

Van Halen became a popular fixture on the club scene. According to severhl reports, KISS’s frontnian Gene Simmons attended one of the band’s concents and paid for them to make a demo recording. Van Halen landed a contract with Warner Brother in 1977 and released their first self-titled album the following year. Van Halen quickly became hit. The album contained numerous classic hand rock songs, such as ‘Runnin with the Devil’ and ‘Jamie’s Cryin’. Roth wrote much of the lyrics for the group.

In 1979, Van Halen had their first hit single with Dance the Night Away’. The band tourned to support the record, and Rath proved to be quite the showman. With his long blond hair and crazy spandex outfits, he won over audiences with his fast-talking pattern, jumps and stunts. Roth released a four- song recording, Crazy, From the Heat, in 1985. He scared a number three hit with ‘California Girls’, written by the Beach Boys. With 1986’s ‘Eat Em and Smile’, Rath returned tomore familiar territory with this full length release. The hard-driving song ‘Yankee Rose’ proved to be the album’s most successful single. ‘Goin Crazy’ also enjoyed some popularity.

Trying a different medium, Rath gave readers an inside look at his wild and crazy life in his antobiography Crazy from the Heat (1997). In 2005, Rath had a brief carrer as radio DJ. He made musical headlines in 2007, as Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rath refused to attend the ceremony after learning that he was not going to able to perform. Later that year, Rath buried the hatchet with Van Halen. He rejoined the group, which now included Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, on bass, for a hugely successful tom.

He and rest of the band also went back into the studio, recording 2012’s A Different Kind of Truth. The album hit the top of the rock charts, with critics offering mixed assessments of the work. Some noted that Roth’s voice is lesss dynamic than it one was. Still others heralded the return of Roth, calling him ‘the true hero’ of the recording.

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