Chapter 386: The Meaning of Running
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"In the selection of the World Championship in Athletics that ended today, the 'blade warrior,' Barron Phillip, who participated in a race for normal people for the very first time, has obtained the second place in his group. He has successfully advanced to tomorrow's final."
Accompanied by the sweet voice of the news anchor, a photograph of Phillip running appeared on the upper right side of the television screen.
It was a very brief sports news broadcast. A simple statement paired with a blurry photography. In fact, there wasn't even a second of video recording.
Time on live television was precious. The US had a great variety of sports games and matches, and there was never a lack of programs to broadcast. In comparison, the public was obviously less interested in sports news. Sports news was only the results, which was never as exciting and enjoyable as a live game. As such, on television, sports news was always as short and straightforward as possible. Broadcasting games and matches were the principal methods of increasing television ratings.
However, when it came to online media, they were much more generous. Text articles, pictures, and even a video of a few minutes—it was only a short string of data on the server. They didn't need to pursue excellence like on television media; on the contrary, the more internet content there was, the better.
News of Phillip advancing to the finals had become viral on the internet. The US had always been a country that advocated personal heroism with characters such as Superman, Captain America, Iron Man, etc., who were all loved by the American people. And in the eye of the general public, Phillip had somehow become the "Broken Leg Man."
When a person whose legs had been amputated competed against an able-bodied person, it was always going to be new and exciting, not to mention that Phillip had made it to the finals with his strength.
As a disabled person, he would already have gained extra sympathy under normal circumstances, and in any country, a disabled person who strived for improvement and never gave up would be seen as a role model.
An able-bodied person might sympathize with Phillip and give him encouraging applause, but a disabled person would identify with Phillip and idolize him.
When Phillip made his appearance on the field during the finals, the most enthusiastic and passionate cheers suddenly erupted from all over the stadium.
"Blade warrior! Blade warrior! Blade warrior!" the crowd shouted in unison.
There were even people who held and waved around giant banners or photographs of Phillip in the stands. The competition hadn't started, but the stadium had already reached its boiling point, as people shouted and cheered for Phillip.
Phillip sat down and did some simple warm-ups. He raised his legs and stretched his waist, looking a little nervous. Even when the commentator announced his name and the camera closed in on him for a close-up, he only smiled shyly.
However, when Phillip's smile appeared on the big screen, the most passionate of cheers reverberated within the stadium.
Phillip was dumbfounded. He had never felt so much applause, not to mention the cheers that he was hearing. At that moment, Phillip suddenly felt that he was surrounded by happiness.
This applause, these cheers, they're all for me? Phillip looked around. He saw the people holding his photograph, as well as the people who lifted huge banners. Unconsciously, Phillip raised both his arms above his head and waved them around to pay tribute to all who supported him.
They've recognized me! Phillip suddenly realized.
Phillip wrinkled his nose as tears formed in his eyes. He really needed this feeling of acceptance!
Phillip looked around.
In the stands right in front of him, a young man in a wheelchair was shouting at the top of his lungs.
In the stands far behind him, a man on crutches held a big banner with the words 'Blade Warrior' written on it.
And in the first row of the stands closest to him, a frail-looking man with red hair looked at him with a face full of expectation.
That's Jonny! Phillip recognized that person. He had been Phillip's comrade during the war, the ex-Army Sergeant, Jonny. He became addicted to drugs after returning to the country, and had since become a homeless person.
Jonny also noticed that Phillip had seen him. He smiled at Phillip and held out his hand at the same time, encouraging Phillip with a big thumbs up.
At that moment, Phillip felt that he had an additional purpose, and it was not heavy but full of hope.
I finally understand the meaning of me continuing to run! It's not so that I can gain recognition, it's not about getting equal respect, it is to give hope to those who were in despair, to tell them to not give up on life!
Phillip lowered his head to look at the prosthesis that had accompanied him for many years. Although he had lost both his legs, he had never given up hope.
Phillip's eyes suddenly became clear; he now had an objective, a clear purpose that would support him to continue running.
He completed his preparation and awaited the signal that would start the race.
...
The sound of a gunshot. Phillip dashed forward, away from the starting line like a runaway stallion.
"Eh?" Dai Li uttered curiously. He was the first to notice that something had changed in Phillip's body.
Dai Li had been with Phillip for a very long time, and so he knew Phillip from the inside out. At that moment, Dai Li saw something he had never seen before in Phillip.
Dai Li could see that Phillip was, at that moment, very focused and resilient. However, Dai Li could not put into words the transformation that Phillip had undergone.
It was belief. It could not easily be put into words; however, it brought with it courage and an unyielding spirit.
As Phillip ran, passionate cheers reverberated from the stands that he passed. People were shouting "blade warrior," and no one could keep their eyes off him. He had undoubtedly become the focus of the entire stadium.
...
On the main stands, the CEO of the American Track and Field Association, Williams, was seated in the middle, maintaining his calm and collected composure.
However, the wild cheers surrounding him continued to stir his heart.
He gazed at the race track and looked at the legless athlete who was running with a pair of prosthesis.
"Blade warrior…" Williams kept repeating the name in a whisper. A mysterious sense of affection rose from deep within his heart.
He lost both his legs, but he's still putting so much effort into running. His belief must be firm to have persevered to this point! Williams thought with a deep breath. In his mind, he had already rejected all of Lopez's previous opinions.
If he only wanted to boost his fame using this competition, he didn't need to go this far. This "blade warrior" ran for his dreams… Williams suddenly felt that letting Phillips participate in the competition might have been the right thing to do.
...
It was the second half of the race. The pace of the other contestants had fallen, but Phillip's advantage had only just begun taking effect; not only did he maintain his speed, he had somehow increased it a bit.
Dai Li quickly took a glance at the stopwatch in his hand. He had already realized that the Phillip of that day was much faster than usual.
He is outdoing himself today! Dai Li realized that, but he did not know what the cause of his fantastic form was.
Perhaps he was always this type of contender. In an official race, the stress that comes from all around him further unleashes his potential. Dai continued glancing at his stopwatch as he kept thinking.
...
The 200m to 300m bend was the hardest part to endure for many athletes, but for Phillip, this was the part where he gained a significant advantage.
In the blink of an eye, the contestants would enter the final straight track and make their final dash.
"We're going into the final stretch of straight track. Brown is in the lead, behind him is Andrew, and then following him is Francesco. Oh, it looks like the blade warrior is catching up! He is close behind Francesco, can he get past him?"
The voice of the commentator rang powerfully across the stadium. The crowds in the stands had all stood up.
Brown, who was leading in the first place, was the best when it came to the 400m sprint. He had won the silver medal for the Olympics and the world championship, as well as the 4x100m relay gold medal. Among the active athletes at the time, he dominated the 400m sprint event. If he was in good form, he could finish the race in 44 seconds. Getting crowned champion in this sort of competition was a given.
Andrew, who was in second place, also had a personal best that neared 44 seconds. In terms of strength, he was only second to Brown, and since he was slightly stronger than the other athletes, getting second place wasn't much of a problem.
The key was the fight for third place, because it was the last ticket to the 400m sprint event in the world championships.
At that moment, the third-ranked Francesco had already sensed that someone was getting close to him. He squinted from the corner of his eye and saw a person he recognized immediately. It was Phillip.
The "blade warrior" of Los Angeles! I never would have thought that he would be the one behind me, chasing me, and intending to pass me! It's actually a person who doesn't even have legs! That is why I cannot lose!"
Francesco did not want to lose to Phillip. It wasn't only about winning or losing, heck, winning third place and getting into the world championship wasn't even all that important. What was more important was the dignity of an athlete. He could be defeated, but definitely not by a disabled person!
Francesco looked forward and saw that there was only about 50 meters left until the finish line.
Fight! Francesco focused all his strength in both his legs, working hard to increase the gap in between his steps. He wanted to increase his step frequency and to stomp harder on the ground. He wanted to do all those just so he could widen the gap between Phillip and himself, even if just slightly.
However, Phillip did not give him that chance. As Francesco worked hard, Phillip was also working hard.
The cheers within the stadium had reached their climax. Many people had surely shouted until they lost their voices, yet they continued shouting. These cheers were mixed together with the sound of the wind, and as it flowed into Phillip's ear, it was like the sound of a war-drum.
Phillip dashed. The distance between him and the finish line was a mere 40 meters; however, he had still not yet caught up to Francesco.
Francesco was determined, and it did not seem like he was going to slow down.
Into the last 30 meters. One was still in front while the other was behind, and perhaps the race would continue like that until the end.
Can I really not pass him? Phillip started to become anxious as he had put all his effort into his dash, but he still couldn't catch up to Francesco.
No. I'm not at the finish line yet, I can't give up! This is a race, but it is also life, and that's why there's always hope! Persevere, there's definitely going to be a chance!
Phillip entered the last 20 meters with this belief.
And at that moment, Francesco slowed down. He had exhausted all the energy stored in his body.
Fatigue was like pitch black darkness. It attacked and lingered. Francesco felt as if he had lost control of both his legs. However, the belief and conviction in his mind made it possible to continue striding forward.
Come on, just a little more, the last 20 meters, hold on!
Francesco did not give up fighting, he continued encouraging and pushing himself. However, the clearness of his mind could not prevent his legs from slowing down.
At the same time, Phillip had finally made it to his side, running side by side with him.
He's caught up! Francesco noticed.
I can't lose, I will definitely not lose to a disabled person! Francesco clenched his teeth. Immediately, he had once again regained control of both his legs, and he then exhausted his strength to dash towards the finish line.
Only 10 meters left; the next second was the moment the victor would be decided!
...
I've caught up to him! Phillip could feel that he was running side by side with Francesco. He also knew that in the next second, they would reach the finish line.
I will win! Phillip began leaning his body forward, and then he made a lunging gesture.
This gesture was extremely difficult for Phillip because he was wearing a pair of prosthesis. He did not have the Achilles Tendon that could twist and turn. As his prosthesis was fixed on his knee, his knee also could not move around easily. The Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis could never support a person as perfectly as a pair of legs. So, the same lunging gesture meant that Phillip could not maintain his center of gravity and keep his body balanced like a normal person.
He gave up balancing his body.
He had only one belief, and that was to dash past the finish line first.
Whoosh!
Phillip rushed to the front like a dolphin plunging out of the sea.
He was really flying. His prosthesis had left the ground. Under the influence of inertia, he flew past the finish line, and then his body crashed into the ground and slid forward. The highly durable carbon fiber prosthesis left definite marks on the rubber tracks.
The cheers around the stadium ceased. The scene had happened too quickly, and not even the people who were closest to the finish line managed to see it clearly. Phillip and Francesco, who went past the finish line first? Everyone looked anxiously at the electronic display and waited for the photo finish system to give them the final answer.
Did I win? Phillip had not risen from the ground. Crashing into the ground at that kind of speed made him feel as though his bones were going to shatter. He only turned his head towards the big screen at the side of the stadium.
On the big screen, a still image of the scene was finally shown. The person who dashed past the finish line first, his leg raised, the black blade-like prosthesis particularly apparent.
I've won!