Stanza 5: Detailed Meaning

Last updated at August 12, 2026 by

Lines 1-2

"Was the race to be won by the strongest and fastest? / No, it was won by the kindest of heart"

1. Literal Meaning

The poet asks: should the race be won by the strongest and fastest person? And answers: No, it was won by the kindest person.

2. Literary Meaning

This is the philosophical heart of the poem. The poet directly challenges our normal idea of winning. In sports, we measure success by speed and strength. Here, kindness is declared the highest quality . “Kindest of heart” is a beautiful phrase that elevates emotional intelligence above physical ability.

3. Poetic Devices

Rhetorical Question : “Was the race to be won by the strongest and fastest?” is a question asked not for an answer but to make the reader think and reflect . In everyday life: “Is this any way to treat a friend?” is a rhetorical question. Here it challenges our assumption about competition.
Antithesis : “strongest and fastest” vs “kindest of heart” — opposite qualities placed together to highlight the poem’s message.

4. Theme

These lines directly state the poem’s central theme: compassion is greater than competition . The real winner is not the fastest person but the most compassionate one. This is the message the Special Olympics was founded on.

5. Tone

The tone is assertive and triumphant . The poet is making a bold statement. The word “No” is strong and direct. The poet is proud of what the runners did and wants the reader to feel the same.

Questions for These Lines
What does "it was won by the kindest of heart" mean? How does this change the usual idea of winning a race? 2 Marks ▾
How to answer: Think about who normally wins a race. Then think about what "kindest of heart" means. What quality is the poet saying matters most?
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Normally a race is won by the fastest person . But the poet says the race was won by “the kindest of heart.” This changes the entire meaning of winning. The poet is saying that true victory belongs to the person who shows the most compassion . The eight runners who stopped to help their fallen competitor showed a quality far greater than speed. The poet wants us to measure success by kindness, not by time or physical strength .
Why is "linked their arms" a powerful image? What does it show about the athletes? 3 Marks ▾
How to answer: Think about what linking arms physically means. How is it different from just running together or walking side by side?
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“Linked their arms” is a powerful image because it shows the athletes are not just physically close but emotionally connected . Linking arms means each person is supporting the other — they cannot walk fast without each other. It is a symbol of unity, mutual support, and shared purpose . It shows that the athletes are no longer competing against each other but are moving forward as one . This image is more powerful than just saying they walked together.

Lines 3-4

"They linked their arms and they walked to the finish line / Together they came to the start."

1. Literal Meaning

All the athletes linked their arms together and walked as one group to the finish line.

2. Literary Meaning

The phrase “linked their arms” is a powerful image of unity and solidarity . They are not just walking together — they are physically connected. “Together they came to the start” is a paradox — they came to the end of the race but the poet says “start” because this moment is the beginning of a new understanding of what sport means.

3. Poetic Devices

Paradox : “Together they came to the start” — they are finishing the race, yet the poet says “start.” This is a statement that seems contradictory but holds a deeper truth: this moment is the start of something greater than a race.
Symbolism : “Linked their arms” symbolises unity, support, and brotherhood .

4. Theme

These lines show the theme of collective victory . No one person wins alone. They win as a unit. The finish line is reached by all nine together, which shows that unity is the greatest achievement .

5. Tone

The tone is peaceful and joyful . The conflict is resolved. There is a beautiful calm after the tension of the fall. The poet describes this moment with deep warmth .

Questions for These Lines
What is the meaning of "they linked their arms and they walked to the finish line"? What does "linked their arms" show? 2 Marks ▾
How to answer: Think about the physical action of linking arms. What does it feel like? What does it prevent you from doing?
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To “link arms” means to put your arm through another person’s arm , holding them close. When people link arms, they move at the same pace — no one can run ahead or fall behind. This is a powerful image of solidarity and equality . By linking arms, the nine athletes say: “We are no longer competing. We are one.” Walking to the finish line this way shows that reaching the end together matters more than reaching it first .
"Together they came to the start" seems to say they came to the beginning, but they are actually finishing the race. How is this a paradox? 3 Marks ▾
How to answer: Think about what "start" can mean in a broader sense. Is the end of this race the beginning of something else?
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A paradox is a statement that seems contradictory but holds a deeper truth . The athletes are at the end of the race physically, yet the poet says they came to the “start.” This is because this moment is the beginning of something new : a new understanding of what sport means, a new friendship between the nine athletes, and a new example for the world to follow. The “start” here is not a place on the track — it is the start of a better idea of winning .
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