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1984 Olympics
Victories of Greg Louganis, Carl Lewis
Sprint through my mind
Joy of attending our first Olympics
Star spangled pride and billowing
Red, white and blue at awards ceremonies
Created goose bumps and feelings of camaraderieOne event is gingerly etched -_
The first women's Olympic marathon _
One by one the women raced into the Massive stadium to applause
while crossing the finish line
But the most moving marathon
was Switzerland's Gabriele Anderson
The last place finisher This small blonde woman near collapse
Staggered into the cavernous stadium
Each step was climbing Mount Everest
Her eyes struggled to see the finish line
she nearly fainted, then steadied herself
Walking slowly, deliberately
Dragging one foot behind the other
Step by step by fragile step We shot into the air cheering.
We clapped, shouted, screamed
"Come on Gabriele!" As she stumbled along,
Tears glissaded down our faces
."My God, I hope she makes it"
It was her race, my race for humankind Sweat streamed down her face
she swept it aside, focused o her goal.
Unabashed grit, determination and faith
Pushed her fragile body over the finish line
The crowd went ballistic
We yelled, leaped into the air, cried, hugged
Her standing ovation overshadowed the winner
Gabriele was carried away on a stretcher
And into an ambulance, but her perseverance
made her the victor in our hearts, minds and souls
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