Sports, My English Reader, Class VIII, DAV Board, The Best Solutions – Section – B

Section – B

B.1. When you participate in a sports competition, do you play—

(i)      only to win?

(ii)     to give your best performance?

(iii)    to exhibit true sportsman spirit, whatever the result may be?

Discuss your answer with your partner citing reasons for your choice.

Winning is important, but it’s not everything. I believe that giving my best effort helps me grow as an athlete and as a person. It teaches me discipline, focus, and dedication. Even if I lose, I feel proud knowing that I tried my hardest.

Showing sportsman spirit is equally important. It means respecting the rules, the opponents, and accepting the result gracefully. A true sportsperson values fair play more than just victory. This attitude earns you respect and makes the game enjoyable for everyone.

So, for me, success means performing well and playing with honesty and respect, whether I win or lose.

B.2. Do you know what is ‘Special Olympics’? Special Olympics is an international Organisation created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence, social skills and a sense of personal accomplishment. Among their other activities, Special Olympics conducts the Special Olympic World Games every two years [alternating between Summer and Winter Games] especially for differently abled people. 

More than 2.5 million athletes of all ages are involved in Special Olympics sports training and the organisation offers year-round training and competitions in 30 Olympic-type sports.

Answer – What is Special Olympics?

The Special Olympics is an international organization that supports people with intellectual disabilities by providing them opportunities to build:

• Self-confidence
• Social skills
• A sense of achievement

It promotes inclusion and equality through sports.

Special Olympic World Games

• Held every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games.
• These games are specially designed for differently abled athletes.
• The aim is to celebrate their abilities, not just their disabilities.

Facts about Special Olympics:

Why is it Important?

• Encourages inclusion and equal opportunity.
• Helps individuals with intellectual disabilities feel valued and capable.
• Promotes fitness, friendship, and fun in a safe and supportive environment.

B.3. Summary in English: Nine Gold Medals

“Nine Gold Medals” by David Roth is a heart-touching poem about a race in the Special Olympics. Nine athletes were competing in a hundred-yard dash. As the race began, one of the runners stumbled and fell. Instead of continuing the race to win, the other eight runners stopped, turned around, and helped the fallen runner. Then, they all walked to the finish line together, hand in hand. They all received gold medals for showing true sportsmanship and compassion.

सारांश हिन्दी में –

“नाइन गोल्ड मेडल्स” डेविड रॉथ की एक संवेदनात्मक कविता है। यह कविता एक रेस की घटना को व्यक्त करती है जो “स्पेशल ओलिंपिक्स” के दौरान हुई। जब रेस शुरू हुआ, एक छोटा खिलाड़ी गिर गिर पड़ा और यह दृश्य देखकर 8 अन्य खिलाड़ी उसे सहारा और उठाने के लिए रुक गए। फिर सभी प्रतिभागियों ने हाथ से हाथ मिलकर दौड़ पूरी की और सभी को उनकी खेल सद्भावना के लिए गोल्ड मैडल दिया गया।

Word Meanings Table:

MCQs:

1. What was the final event of the day?

(a) Long jump

(b) Hundred-yard dash ✅

(c) High jump

(d) Marathon

2. What happened to the smallest athlete?

(a) He won the race

(b) He got disqualified

(c) He stumbled and fell ✅

(d) He came second

3. What did the other athletes do when one fell?

(a) Continued running

(b) Stopped to help ✅

(c) Complained to the judge

(d) Ignored him

4. What was written on the banner?

(a) Olympic Games

(b) Run to Win

(c) Special Olympics ✅

(d) Golden Race

5. How did the race end?

(a) With one winner

(b) With a tie

(c) With nine gold medals ✅

(d) With a disqualification

Short Questions and Answers:

1. Q: What is the main theme of the poem?

A: The poem highlights true sportsmanship, compassion, and unity over competition.

2. Q: How did the athletes show their spirit?

A: They stopped running and helped the fallen athlete, finishing the race together.

3. Q: What was the crowd’s reaction to the act?

A: The spectators gave a standing ovation, appreciating their gesture.

4. Q: Why was the race described as a walk?

A: Because the athletes chose to walk to the finish line together instead of competing.

5. Q: What does the title ‘Nine Gold Medals’ signify?

A: It signifies that each athlete received a gold medal for their kindness, not just athletic performance.

B.4. Read the extract from the poem and answer the questions that follow

(a) “There were nine resolved athletes in the back of the starting line / Poised for the sound of the gun.”
(i) Which event is being talked about here?

Answer – The event being talked about is the 100-yard dash race at the Special Olympics.
(ii) Why does the poet call the athletes ‘resolved athletes’?

Answer – The poet calls them “resolved athletes” because they were determined, focused, and committed to perform well in the competition.
(iii) What happened at the ‘sound of the gun’?

Answer – At the sound of the gun, all the runners started the race by sprinting forward from the starting line.

(b) “He gave out a cry in frustration and anguish / His dreams and his efforts all dashed in the dirt.”
(i) Who does‘he’refer to in line 1?

Answer – ‘He’ refers to the youngest or smallest athlete among the nine runners.
(ii) Why did he ‘cry in frustration’?

Answer – He cried in frustration because he fell to the ground at the start of the race, knowing he would lose.
(iii) What do you think were ‘his dreams’? How were his efforts dashed in the dirt?

Answer – His dreams were to win a medal or at least finish the race proudly. His months of training and effort were ruined when he fell and couldn’t continue running.

(c) “The eight runners pulled up on their heels

The ones who had trained for so long to compete

One by one they all turned around and went back to help him

And brought the young boy to his feet.”
(i) Explain ‘pulled up on their heels’.

Answer – ‘Pulled up on their heels’ means they suddenly stopped running or came to a halt.
(ii) Why did all the athletes turn around? What quality of character does this gesture exhibit?

Answer – The athletes turned around to help the fallen runner. This gesture shows their compassion, empathy, sportsmanship, and humanity.
(iii) What was the result of the event?

Answer – The result of the event was that all nine runners joined hands, walked together to the finish line, and were each awarded a gold medal for their outstanding spirit.

B.5. HOTS

The poet says the eight runners ‘had trained for so long to compete’. Why did they then turn around and help the smallest boy instead of dashing for the finish line?

Answer – The eight runners had trained for so long to compete, yet they turned around to help the smallest boy because they valued compassion and human spirit over winning. They understood that true victory lies not just in finishing first, but in standing together, supporting one another, and showing kindness. Their decision showed empathy, unity, and sportsmanship—qualities far greater than any medal. In helping the fallen boy, they proved that human values are more important than personal success.

B.6. How did the incident (narrated in the poem) make ‘Special Olympics’ even more ‘special’?

Answer – The incident in the poem made the ‘Special Olympics’ even more special because it highlighted the true spirit of sportsmanship, compassion, and unity. Instead of competing fiercely for medals, the eight runners chose to help a fellow athlete who had fallen, sacrificing their own chances of winning. Their selfless act showed that caring for others and finishing together in solidarity was more important than individual victory. This rare and touching moment went beyond competition and celebrated human kindness, making the event truly “special” in every sense.

B.7. Life Skills

(I) The slogan says- ‘Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’ Was the little boy, who fell down, brave?

I believe he was brave because even after falling and being hurt, he didn’t give up. He cried in frustration, which shows how much the race meant to him, but when the other athletes helped him up, he got back on his feet and continued the race. That takes courage and determination. He showed the true spirit of the Special Olympics—being brave in the attempt, no matter the outcome. His willingness to finish the race despite his fall makes him a true example of bravery.

(II) Winning is not the only source of happiness. A truly happy person is the one who knows how to handle failures. What would you do in the following situations? Tick (✓) the option you find the best.

(a) You could not win a swimming competition.

You would
✓ Try to identify your weaknesses and improve upon them.

This shows a positive attitude and willingness to grow from failure.

(b) You could not do well in a competitive exam.
You would
✓ Work hard and take the same exam next year.

This reflects determination and resilience, key traits of a successful person.

(c) During a football match you found that one of your team-mates played foul to win the match.
You would
✓ Inform the coach and request to return the prize.

Upholding honesty and fair play shows integrity and true sportsmanship.

(d) You want to go abroad for higher studies. You have cleared the qualifying tests. You are jubilant. All of a sudden you receive a jolt that your father has suffered a business setback and cannot afford the expenses.
You would
✓ Apply for an education loan.

This is a practical and responsible choice, showing that you can pursue your dreams without burdening your family.

B.8. Some words from the poem are given below. Complete the crossword with their synonyms.

Across

3. Ovation → Applause
   5. Training → Practice
   6. Resolved → Determined

Down

1. Frustration → Disappointment
   2. Beaming → Smiling
   4. Compete → Contend

B.9. Sports, once a symbol of harmony and team spirit, now often produce incidents of intolerance and angry outbursts. It is universally acknowledged that there is an urgent need to relearn the meaning of true sportsmanship. Listen to the tape script to find out simple ways to learn team spirit and sportsmanship.

On the basis of your listening to the passage, complete the web charts given below.

Answer – a) Sportsmanship Means

playing fair

showing courtesy

displaying grace

(b) Things to Encourage / Learn

Fair play

Enjoy the game

following the rules

respect all players

encourage team-mates even if they have made a mistake

using appropriate language

(c) Things to Avoid

using foul language

negative body language

questioning umpire’s honesty

B.10. Now discuss in groups. Have we really forgotten the true spirit of sports? Do sports only mean winning? Is participation not a joy in itself? Note all the points that come up in the discussion. Now prepare an article on the topic ‘The True Spirit of Sports’ to be published in your school magazine.

Answer –

123, Green Valley Lane
New Delhi – 110001
12th June, 2025

Dear Sudhir,

I hope you are doing well. I had to write to you about something truly inspiring that I witnessed recently — the Special Olympics event I attended. It was an experience that touched me deeply and changed the way I think about sports and humanity.

During the 100-yard dash event, something unexpected happened. As soon as the race began, one of the youngest participants stumbled and fell hard on the track. You could see his dreams shatter in that moment — he looked crushed and defeated.

But then, the most beautiful thing happened.

One by one, the eight other contestants stopped running, turned around, and came back to help him. Together, they lifted him up and walked hand-in-hand to the finish line. The crowd stood up and gave them a long, heartfelt ovation. It was not a race about who came first — it became a race of compassion, unity, and true sportsmanship.

That scene is etched in my heart forever. These athletes may not have won gold medals in the conventional sense, but they all won something far greater — the respect and admiration of everyone present.

I just had to share this with you. In a world obsessed with winning, it was a reminder that kindness and empathy are the real victories.

Looking forward to meeting you soon.

Warm regards,
Avinash