William Arthur Ward
The Greatest Last Place Ever
July 17, 2009
In our darkest hours, we simply fail to believe in the power of God and we fail to stay true to His Words. O God, may you forgive us for our complacency. May we strive hard to strengthen our faith in You. And in the bleakest, loneliest and hardest days of our lives may you always be with us to finish our life’s race.
Here is a story of a man who truly symbolizes the finest in human spirit….
A Great Olympic Moment.
John Stephen Akhwari
One of the most memorable Olympic Athletes of the 1968 Mexico City Games was a marathon runner from
Tanzania. John Stephen Akhwari. He doesn’t get a mention in the record books. But that’s not the point.
In fact, it’s fair to say more people remember John Akhwari than the guy who won gold. Even though
John Akhwari came in last! Half way through the race Akhwari fell and badly gashed his calf, and injured his knee.
Most runners at that point would give up. But after a few minutes John Akhwari picked himself up,
strapped up his leg and kept running.
A little more than an hour after the winner had finished, with just a few thousand spectators left in the stands,
whistles, motorcycle sounds and flashing red and green lights gave a macabre effect to the cold, dark Mexico City
evening. The word was passed to the press box and filtered to the few thousand faithful spectators who remained
in the stadium.
Into the stadium came John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania. His leg was bloody and bandaged. Wincing with pain
at every step, he pressed on and the thousands, a few minutes before in silence, began a slow, steady clapping.
Akhwari made his painful way around the track and the cheering grew louder. The trek around the track
seemed interminable. But finally he hobbled across the finish an d the crowd roared as if he had been the winner.
Afterward Akhwari was asked why he endured the pain and why, since there was no chance of winning, he did
not retire from the race. Akwari appeared perplexed at the question.
Then he simply said,
”I don’t think you understand. My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race.
They sent me to finish the race.”
ARTICLE SOURCE: external.barker.nsw.edu.au
