The athletes had come from so many countries

To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze

Many weeks and months in training

All building up to the games.

All round the field spectators were gathered

Cheering on all the young women and men

Then the final event of the day was approaching

The last race about to begin.

The loudspeakers called out the names of the runners

The one hundred metres the race to be run

And nine young athletes stood there determined

And poised for the sound of the gun.

The signal was given, the pistol exploded

And so did the runners on hearing the sound

But the youngest among them stumbled and staggered

And he fell on his knees to the ground.

He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish

His dreams and his efforts dashed in the dirt

But as sure as I'm standing here telling the story

Now it's a strange one, but here's what occurred

The eight other athletes stopped in their tracks

The ones who had trained for so long to compete

One by one they turned round and came back to help him

And lifted the lad to his feet.

Then all nine runners joined hands and continued

The one hundred metres reduced to a walk

And the banner above that said "Special Olympics"

Could not have been nearer the mark.

That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals

They came to the finish line holding hands still

And the banner above and nine smiling faces

Said more than these words ever will

Said more than these words ever will