Back to: Andhra Pradesh Board Class 6th English Guide and Notes
Table of Contents
Important Athletes:
- Wilma Rudolf: An American sprinter, who became a world-record-holding Olympic champion and international sports icon in track and field following her successes in the 1956 and 1960
- Rafer Johnson: An American decathlete, he was the 1960 Olympic gold medallist in the decathlon, having won silver in 1956.
Introduction
In this chapter, the writer introduces two stories of athletes who have achieved their best, despite their physical challenges. It highlights that one must take inspiration from these athletes and there may be times when one wishes to achieve many things in life, but may not succeed. When this happens, we tend to blame our luck, our circumstances, and our fate. We do not realize that the fault lies within us.
Summary
Importance of Olympics
The Olympics is one of the world’s biggest events, and participating in such games is an honour for any country. Participation is more important rather than winning or losing. The players play with a lot of interest and they want to set a new record. Some of the players do not mind their disadvantage because they achieve through hard work and dedication.
Wilma Rudolf’s backstory
Wilma Rudolf who is popularly known as Black Gazelle belonged to a large Negro family. She was very weak when she was born. Besides this, she had an attack of polio when she was four years old, she had to rest for long period. But she didn’t lose her heart. Apart from this, her members of the family supported her. They spent their time massaging her leg as per the recommendation of the doctors.
She needed special shoes and soon she was able to walk. When she gathered courage, she became stronger which made her run and play. She forgot her disability and concentrated on her work. She loves to play basketball and had the hope of becoming a good player.
The coach noticed Wilma’s motto and her desire to excel in sports encouraged her. He admired her talent and he was sure that she could become a sprinter. Soon she joined the American Olympic team which went to Melbourne. During the Rome Olympics, Wilma won three gold medals and become a superstar. As she was the fourteenth child in her family, she said jokingly that she runs faster because she belongs to a large family and would like to reach the dining thou first.
Rafer Johnson, another athlete an inspiration
Rafer Johnson was another champion. He suffered a lot as a boy when he was only twelve, his left leg was badly crushed in a machine. One of the toes was hanging out it looked as though it would fall off. The doctors thought that the entire leg had to be amputated which made Rafer Johnson upset. He believed in God and prayed for mercy. Luckily, the doctors could save it but it did not get natural form.
But he gathered up courage and forgot that he had a weak leg. He wore shoes with difficulty yet he wears them regularly. He concentrated on sports with zest and zeal. He participated in the decathlon and got first place. So, he is rightly called one of the greatest athletes in the world.
When we come to know about Wilma Rudolf and Rafer Johnson, we understand their hard work, dedication, perseverance, and discipline in achieving their goal. They had a dream but with willpower, patience, and continuous effort, they overcome their weaknesses and disabilities. They didn’t mind their physical challenges
Conclusion
Where there is a will there is a way is one of the most used proverbs to date. This proverb has a lot of meaning when we come to think of it. Its essential meaning is that if you set your mind to do something, you can easily do it. In other words, it shows us the importance of willpower and how it can bring a change in someone’s life.
Will power is the desire to achieve something. If you have the willpower to do something, then nothing can stop you from doing so. This proverb is equally applicable in almost all aspects of life.
