The Great Competitor

Beyond the winning and the goal, beyond the
Glory and the flame,
He feels the flame within his soul, born of
The spirit of the game,
And where the barriers may wait, built up
By the opposing gods,
He finds a thrill in bucking fate and riding
Down the endless odds.
Where others wither in the fire or fall
Below some raw mishap,
Where others lag behind or tire and break
Beneath the handicap,
He finds a new and deeper thrill to take him
On the uphill spin,
Because the test is greater still, and
Something he can revel in.

Grantland Rice