Chapter 519: Things to Protect
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
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 compet.i.tion between Kenya and Ethiopia. Although the other countries sent out strong compet.i.tors,, they still did not have the strength to s.n.a.t.c.h 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 Champions.h.i.+p in Athletics. He has also never partic.i.p.ated in the IAAF Grand Prix or the diamond league. The only international compet.i.tion 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 champions.h.i.+ps 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 gla.s.s 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!”
Irwin’s focus returned to the race track. By then, he was about to enter the straight track for the final dash.
I’m in the lead. When I get this gold medal, the sponsors will keep their promise and provide me with a bonus. New sponsors swarm me and I will be as busy as before.
Irwin was the first to enter the final stretch of straight track. He began to accelerate into his final dash.
However, a shadow suddenly appeared beside him.
Someone has caught up to me! Irwin was shocked. He turned his head slightly and saw an unfamiliar face and a green uniform.
Green. It should be an African country. It’s that young South African! Coach Li reminded me to keep an eye on him. Irwin remembered Dai Li’s warning before the race.
The next second, the young South African, Zouma, pa.s.sed Irwin.
“Oooooooooooh…” A flurry of panicked sounds emerged from the stands. No one would have imagined the great king of the 400m sprint could be overtaken by some unknown contestant in the final dash.
…
I’ve overtaken Irwin! Nick Zouma’s mind suddenly went blank.
Zouma suddenly realized that he had a chance of winning. It was possible for him to beat Irwin, to dethrone the king of the 400m sprint!
More than a decade ago, when Irwin first took part in the Olympics, he was like me. He was just an unknown person. He stepped over various veterans and succeeded in becoming the best in the 400m sprint.
Today, I can replicate that moment. I will become the second Jimmy Irwin. I will become the new king of the 400m sprint!”
No, I don’t want to become the second Jimmy Irwin. I am me. I don’t want to be the clone of someone else. I want to be myself! I want to surpa.s.s Jimmy Irwin! I want the records to be filled with my name!”
At that moment, Zouma’s heart burned with pa.s.sion. His entire body flooded with energy. He used all his strength to rush towards the finish line just over a dozen meters away.
…
Am I going to lose? Irwin suddenly did not know what to do.
The moment Zouma overtook him, Irwin finally panicked. It was a panic he had not felt in a long time.
He was the king of the 400m sprint. He had never lost in any of the important races. None of his opponents ever made him panic.
However, right now, the young South African had done it. He let Irwin see the possibility of losing.
I had this feeling a few months ago, but it wasn’t in a race. It was when oil prices fell. I almost lost all of my a.s.sets. I panicked back then! I was really worried that I would go bankrupt. My mansion, my cars, my yacht. All of my possessions would be taken by the bank. I would have nothing left. I would lose my life… That’s why I chose to return here because I don’t want to lose everything!
At that moment, Irwin suddenly understood why he chose to return to the sports arena. To compete against athletes who were over ten years younger than him for the champions.h.i.+p. It wasn’t his desire for glory, it was because he didn’t want to lose all his money!
Irwin had grown up in a middle-cla.s.s family. After he became famous in his youth, his wealth acc.u.mulated. He had never been poor, not even for a single day. He did not know how to live a life of poverty.
Irwin was not like other sports stars who had lived in poverty. His middle-cla.s.s family had s.h.i.+elded him from issues that arose from money problems.
The current Irwin had already won a good number of champions.h.i.+ps. He had received way too much glory. He had grown numb to the applause and the praise tired his ear. The champions.h.i.+p, the glory, the t.i.tle of the king of the 400m sprint, those were not the things Irwin desired.
What he wanted most was to enjoy a comfortable and worry-free life.It just so happened he needed money to maintain that dream.
If Irwin lost that race, he would not receive the bonus provided by the sponsors. The amount of advertis.e.m.e.nt and endors.e.m.e.nt deals would decrease. Although the remaining advertis.e.m.e.nt and endors.e.m.e.nt fees would be enough for him to live his remaining life in comfort, his quality of life would decrease significantly.
I’ve always known what I was fighting for! It’s not glory, applause, or fame. It is the way of life I desire! A life of freedom! I have to protect my life! That is also something that I must protect.
Irwin suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment. He found a direction. He found a target for his effort. He found something he needed to protect.
Irwin was no longer confused. He looked straight at the finish line in front of him and became unbelievably determined. His entire demeanor and aura were completely changed.
His speed increased. With his breathing technique alone, he caught up with the South African youngster, Zouma. They ran shoulder to shoulder.
…
Irwin has caught up again! It’s the last 100m dash, so this is when Irwin is at his strongest. However, I will not lose. Zouma did not retreat. Instead, a fire lit up in his heart. He wanted to defeat Irwin.
Zouma turned his head slightly. He wanted to check just how fast Irwin was going. However, he realized there was an immense energy emanating from his opponent.
At that moment, Zouma hallucinated. He thought that he was running against a giant. He was terrified.
How is this possible? Why am I so scared? Zouma thought.
It was the first time Zouma had been in this situation. He was separated by two lanes from Irwin. However, the energy from Irwin made him feel like he was suffocating.
That was the imposing aura of Irwin. It was the energy of the conqueror of the 400m event. It was the special demeanor that was acc.u.mulated by winning multiple races.
He used it to inform the challengers that this was his territory. Here, he was king!
Another second pa.s.sed. Irwin overtook Zouma.
Zouma did not resign to his fate. However, the current Irwin already understood and knew what he wanted to protect. He gave it his all to do so.
…
“Irwin is in the lead and the gap is gradually getting wider. Looks like there’s no doubt anymore. He has pa.s.sed the finish line! Irwin has won. Congratulations Irwin, a historical four consecutive wins in four Olympics!”
The commentator exclaimed in a loud voice, which was quickly drowned out by the audience.
Dai Li let out a breath. When Zouma overtook Irwin, he had really worried that Irwin would lose the race.
That scared the sh*t out of me. I really thought Irwin would lose. However, this South African youngster really is something. Grade S+ talent potential. I’m sure after Irwin retires, he will become the new conqueror of the men’s 400m sprint.