Anti
Gravity Pole Vault Club - Prayer of A Sportsman
Dear Lord, in the battle that goes through life,
I ask but a field that is fair;
A chance that is equal with all in the strife
A courage to strive and to dare;
And if I should win, let it be by the code,
With my faith and my honor held high;
And if I should lose, let me stand by the road
And cheer as the winners go by.
And Lord, may my shouts be ungruding and clear,
A tribute that comes from the heart,
And let me not cherish a snarl or a sneer
Or play any sniveling part;
Let me say: There they ride on whom laurel's bestowed
Since they played the game better than I
Let me stand with a smile by the side of the road
And cheer as the winners go by.
--Berton Braley--
(as published by Dr. Richard V. Ganslen in Mechanic's of the
Pole Vault, 1980 Olympic 9th Edition)
