519 Things to Protec (1/2)
There were five medal ceremonies on the second day of the track and field events. The U.S. team won two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals that day. It was a good haul.
In summary, so far the U.S. had won a total of three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. One could argue their performances were flawless. Even the most critical audience would give the U.S. team a perfect score.
However, the track and field events had only just begun. There were eight more days to go, and only eight out of 47 gold medals had been won. It was a small amount considering how many were left. The U.S. team still had a long way to go.
The third day of the track and field events started. In the morning,there were no events scheduled in the main stadium. The only track and field event was the women's marathon, which was underway outside on the streets.
The women's marathon was another event the two long-distance running powerhouse nations from Africa dominated. It was once again a competition between Kenya and Ethiopia. Although the other countries sent out strong competitors,, they still did not have the strength to snatch the gold away from the two long-distance running powerhouses of Africa.
At night, the first event in which a medal would be given out was the women's triple jump. One U.S. athlete made it into the final.
Dai Li went about his old tricks once again. He used the state scale again but, this time, Dai Li's luck was not as good. The first two jumps both triggered the terrible condition and the best result of the U.S. athlete was only 13.93m.
Do I want to take another chance? If the next attempt is terrible, then she won't even make it into the top eight, and the remaining three chances will be gone.”
Dai Li hesitated for a moment before finally removing the state scale. He decided to let the athlete get a safe result to at least get into the top eight.
This time, the U.S. contestant jumped 14.33m, putting herself in the top eight and getting three more chances.
Dai Li had more chances to try his luck. He used the state scale on the athlete again. However, luck was not on his side. In her following three attempts, the U.S. athlete only managed to trigger the maximum state condition once and the other two attempts were terrible.
It dissatisfied Dai Li. In five attempts, he only managed to achieve a maximum state once. The other four times were terrible states.
This state scale is truly a double-edged sword! Dai Li sighed in resignation. He looked at the result sheet. The final result of the U.S. athlete was 14.88m, third place. She got a bronze medal.
I've already managed to win two gold medals from the women's shot put and the men's long jump events using the state scale. The return I've got from the state scale is good enough. Although we didn't get a gold medal this time, a bronze medal is better than nothing. Dai Li consoled himself.
At the same time of the final in women's triple jump, the semi-final of the men's 100m sprint was underway. Justin Alexander was in the stadium.
Alexander was an athlete that Dai Li had trained personally. As such, Dai Li had great confidence in Alexander's strength. Dai Li believed that Alexander would win the men's 100m sprint, even if he had strong Jamaicans opponents.
Alexander did not let Dai Li down. He advanced as the first in his group.
After the semi-final of the men's 100m sprint ended, the next event on the track was the semi-final of the women's 1,500m run. That was followeds the high-profile final of the men's 400m sprint.
It was one of the events the U.S. team was best in. The U.S. team had three spots in the final.
A lot of the U.S. audience had already taken out their Jimmy Irwin signs. They wer waiting for the king of the 400m sprint to get his fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
The contestants walked out of the tunnel separately and began preparing for the race. Dai Li used the detector on each of the athletes in the final. His face froze when he used his detector on an African athlete from South Africa.
Grade S+ talent potential! This guy has a value of 900. Who is this guy! Was there someone this amazing among the contestants? Why has no one paid attention to this person before? Dai Li frantically searched and looked for information on this athlete.
South African representative, Nick Zouma. 21 years old. First time taking part in the Olympics. Never took part in the World Championship in Athletics. He has also never participated in the IAAF Grand Prix or the diamond league. The only international competition he competed in was the Commonwealth Games. He got a bronze medal.
Dai Li stared at the South African guy as he grew cautious.
This South African will definitely threaten Irwin, I better let him know.
Dai Li moved to Irwin's side and said, ”Jimmy, do you see that South African?”
”I don't know him,” Irwin answered.
”Be careful of that guy. He is strong. He might threaten you,” Dai Li said.
Irwin's immediately felt weird. As the king of the 400m sprint, he had absolutely no reason to look at an athlete that he did not even know. The guy looked like a rookie.
However,words from Dai Li's mouth had to be taken seriously. Irwin knew deep down that his coach had amazing insight. Since Dai Li said the South African was strong, Irwin would not take him lightly.
...
Irwin had a mix of emotions as he readied himself for another final in the Olympics.
This will be my final Olympics. The thought flashed through Irwin's mind. He then shook his head.
I thought the exact same thing four years ago! However, four years later, I'm still here. Time sure enjoys making fun of people!
The sound of the referee's reminder to the athletes reached his ear. Irwin prepared and went to his starting position.
This time is really my last Olympics. In four years' time, I probably wouldn't be able to run anymore.
As the gun sounded, the race officially began.
Irwin started smoothly. He quickly moved into the rhythm he excelled at. However, his thoughts fell into past memories. His past experience in the Olympic Games fragmented into different parts and ran through his mind.
He remembered a decade ago when he was a youngster in his first Olympics. As a Caucasian athlete competing in an event dominated by black athletes, no one thought he would win. However, he was crowned the champion. The media used the word ”upset” to describe it because he was Caucasian. A Caucasian winning the 400m sprint, was considered shocking.
Most media outlets said that he had gotten lucky. A lot of sports critics said that he was a one-hit wonder. However, in the Olympics four years later, he did it again and became the Olympic champion of the 400m sprint. From that day onwards, he didn't lose 400m sprint.
Everyone in the stadium stood up and a cacophony of cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. People lifted signs showing their support and waved large posters of him in the air. Some even waved American flags. To Irwin, the scene was familiar.
The Olympics four years ago was just like this. Everyone cheered for me. Everyone hoped that I would get three consecutive championships and create a new era. Back then, I succeeded! I became the winner of the Olympics and revelled in glory…
My old self fought for glory, but what about now? What am I fighting for? To get another win and create history? Is there a big difference between three consecutive wins and four consecutive wins?
If my investment in shale oils hadn't failed, I wouldn't have come back. I should be at home right now with a glass of champagne in my hands. I should be watching TV, talking about other athletes. Maybe I'd return to ESPN and be a part-time commentator.
Irwin's thoughts were suddenly chaotic. He was still able to maintain his rhythm and speed.
Running had already become second nature. It was his instinct, even if his thoughts stopped, his body would automatically keep running.
I'm still in a race and it's the final of the Olympics. What nonsense am I thinking about? Why did I bring up such terrible issues in my mind!”