Preface:
Itwasasunnyday,andthestadiumwaspackedwithspectators,cheeringandshoutingatthetopoftheirlungs.Theairwasfilledwiththearomaofpopcornandhotdogs,andtheexcitementwascontagious.Theannualsportsmeethadbegun,andeveryathletewasreadytogiveittheirall.
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Theopeningceremonyhadalreadytakenplace,andthesoundofthenationalanthemstillechoedthroughthestadium.Thecolorsofthenationalflagflutteredinthewind,andthecrowderuptedincheers.Theathletesmarchedin,theirfacesdeterminedandfocused.
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Thefirsteventofthedaywasthe100mrace,andtheathleteslinedupatthestartingline.Thetensionwaspalpable,andthesilencedeafening.Thegunwentoff,andtheathletesraceddownthetrack,theirmusclesstrainingwitheverystep.
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Inthestands,ayoungboywatchedinaweashisfavoriteathletecrossedthefinishlinefirst.Hecheeredloudly,hisvoicecrackingwithexcitement.Hisdreamwastobecomeanathletejustlikehim.
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Thenexteventwasthelongjump,andtheathletesleapedintotheair,theirbodiessoaringthroughthesky.Thecrowdgaspedastheylanded,theirbodiesthuddingontothesand.
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Asthedayworeon,moreandmoreeventstookplace.Therewasthehighjump,whereathletesdefiedgravityandclearedimpossibleheights,andtheshotput,wheretheyhurledheavyballswithalltheirmight.
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Theatmosphereinthestadiumwaselectric,andthecheersneverstopped.Everytimeanathletebrokearecordorwonamedal,thecrowderuptedinapplause.
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Thesunbeatdownontheathletes,andsweatpoureddowntheirfaces.Buttheydidn'tstop;theypushedthemselvestotheirlimits,determinedtowin.
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Asthedaydrewtoaclose,thefinaleventofthedayapproached:the1500mrace.Theathleteslinedup,theirfacesflushedwithexcitementanddetermination.
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Inthestands,theyoungboywatchedashisfavoriteathletetookhisplaceatthestartingline.Hehadwoneveryeventhehadenteredthatday,andtheboyknewthathewastheonetobeat.
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Thegunwentoff,andtheathletessprinteddownthetrack.Thecrowdroared,urgingthemon.Theboywatchedashisherotookthelead,hislegspumpingfuriously.
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Astheyroundedthefinalbend,theyoungboycouldseethathisherowasfaltering.Hislegswereheavy,andhewasstrugglingtokeepup.
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Butthensomethingamazinghappened.Anotherathlete,whohadbeentrailingbehind,suddenlysurgedforward.Heovertooktheheroandcrossedthefinishlinefirst.
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Thecrowdwentwild,cheeringandclapping.Buttheyoungboyfeltapangofdisappointment.Hisherohadlost.
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Butthensomethingelseamazinghappened.Theherostoodup,walkedovertothewinner,andshookhishand.Hecongratulatedhimonajobwelldoneandsmiledbroadly.
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Theyoungboywatchedinamazementastheheroshowedtruesportsmanship.Hehadlostgracefully,withdignityandrespectforhisfellowathlete.
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Thedayhadbeenlongandtiring,butithadbeenworthit.Theyoungboyhadwitnessedsomethingtrulyinspiring.
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Asthestadiumemptied,andthesunsetoverthehorizon,theyoungboymadeapromisetohimself.Hewouldbecomeanathlete,justlikehishero.Andhewouldalwaysshowsportsmanship,nomatterwhat.
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Yearspassed,andtheyoungboygrewuptobecomeatalentedathlete.Hecompetedinmanyraces,wonmanymedals,andbrokemanyrecords.
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Butmoreimportantly,healwaysrememberedthelessonhisherohadtaughthim.Healwaysshowedsportsmanship,evenindefeat.
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Andso,whenthetimecameforhimtoretirefromathletics,hedidsowithgraceanddignity.Hehadachievedeverythinghehadsetouttodo,andhehaddoneitwithhonor.
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Theyoungboywhohadwatchedinaweashisherorandownthetrackhadbecomeaherohimself.Aheroofsportsmanship,whohadinspiredmanyotherstofollowinhisfootsteps.
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Andashelookedbackonhislife,theroarofthestadiumstillechoedinhisears.Thevictoryofayoungathletewhohadbecomealegendbecauseofhissportsmanship.
