Textbook Solutions: My Greatest Olympic Prize | Gul Mohar Class 8: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Before You Read

In the poem 'Nine Gold Medals' inspired by the Special Olympics of 1976, a young athlete stumbles and falls down at the starting line of a sprint. Instead of running the race, the other athletes come back to help the injured man. The nine runners then join hands and walk to the finish line together. Each of them is awarded a gold medal.
Why do you think they were all rewarded? Discuss in class.
Ans:  The athletes were rewarded because they displayed values that were far more important than individual victory. Instead of focusing only on medals, they chose compassion, unity, and true sportsmanship. By helping the injured runner and walking together to the finish line, they proved that humanity is greater than competition. Their act was extraordinary, teaching the world that kindness and teamwork deserve recognition even more than winning.

While Reading

Q1. Read the introduction and para 1. Write one word to describe the attitude of:
a. Hitler
b. Jesse
Ans: (a) Hitler – His attitude was arrogant, as he strongly believed in Aryan racial superiority. He wanted to use the Olympic Games as a platform to showcase his political ideology, making sports a tool for propaganda rather than fair competition.
(b) Jesse – His attitude was determined and focused. Despite the hostile environment and the weight of Hitler’s beliefs, he concentrated on performing with courage and self-belief, showing real strength of character.

Q2. Express the phrase 'hands down' in your home language.
Ans: The phrase hands down means “very easily” or “without doubt.” In Hindi, it is expressed as aasaani se. It suggests that an achievement has been accomplished smoothly, without facing major obstacles. For example, if an athlete wins a race hands down, it means the victory was effortless and complete. The phrase highlights confidence and certainty in success.

Q3. Long was kept a secret because...
Ans:  Hitler had deliberately kept Luz Long hidden from public attention before the event. His plan was to surprise the world by presenting Long as Germany’s champion who could defeat Jesse Owens in the broad jump. This secrecy was part of Hitler’s propaganda to prove Aryan superiority on an international stage. By suddenly revealing Long, he hoped to glorify German strength and humiliate non-Aryan athletes in front of the world.

Q4. Sometimes our emotions get the better of us, despite being told or warned. What would you do in a similar situation? Tell your partner.
Ans: In such a situation, I would remind myself that emotions like anger or nervousness can destroy my performance if I lose control. I would pause, take a deep breath, and try to stay calm. Thinking clearly instead of reacting emotionally would help me make the right decisions. Just as Jesse Owens learned to control himself, I too would focus on discipline, patience, and concentration to succeed.

Q5. How does Luz Long know that Owens is angry? Write one word to describe this kind of ability.
Ans:  Luz Long noticed Jesse Owens’ tense body language, hurried movements, and frustrated expressions. These signs revealed that Jesse was upset and losing his focus. The ability to carefully study someone’s behavior and understand their emotions is called Observation. It is a skill that shows awareness, empathy, and attentiveness, allowing one person to sense another’s feelings without being directly told about them.

Q6. Why did Jesse feel good saying that he knew he could qualify?
Ans: Jesse felt good after expressing that he could qualify because saying it aloud gave him comfort and reassurance. By sharing his confidence with someone who truly supported him, he felt a sense of relief and regained his inner strength. This act of self-belief reduced his nervousness, encouraged him to concentrate, and filled him with new determination to give his best performance in the competition.

Q7. Can competitors be friends? Can you describe this attitude in one word? Discuss with your partner.
Ans: Competitors can definitely be friends, as Jesse Owens and Luz Long’s example proves. Even though they were rivals in the broad jump, they respected each other and built a strong friendship based on trust and fairness. Supporting one another in such high-pressure situations showed honesty and humanity. This rare quality of valuing respect above winning is best described in one powerful word: sportsmanship.

Q8. What do you think this says about the German people?
Ans: The story shows that ordinary Germans were not all blinded by Hitler’s racist ideas. Many of them admired fairness, respected genuine talent, and valued honesty in sports. Their appreciation of Jesse Owens’ achievement proved that human values like kindness and admiration for skill can overcome prejudice. This highlighted that not all Germans supported Hitler’s ideology blindly; many believed in justice and equality.

Understanding the Text

A. Complete these sentences.

1. Owens calls Hitler's belief in 'master race' childish because _______________________.
2. Everyone expected Owens to win the broad jump because ________________________.
3. Owens fouled in the first two attempts at the trials because he leaped _________________________.
4. Long advised Owens to ___________________________.
5. When Owens landed from his final jump, Long was ______________________________. 
6. Hitler opened the Olympic Games to all because _______________________________________.
Ans: (1) Owens calls Hitler's belief in 'master race' childish because it was based on the false idea that one race is naturally superior to all others, which is immature, unscientific, and against the basic truth of human equality and fairness.
(2) Everyone expected Owens to win the broad jump because he held the world record and had already earned great fame as an athlete, making him the clear favorite to secure victory in the event.
(3) Owens fouled in the first two attempts at the trials because he allowed his emotions to affect him and leaped from beyond the take-off board, instead of keeping his focus on proper technique and timing.
(4) Long advised Owens to draw a line a few inches behind the board and use it as the take-off point. This simple but clever strategy would allow Jesse to qualify without fouling, ensuring a fair attempt.
(5) When Owens landed from his final jump, Long was right beside him, smiling and congratulating him warmly. His reaction reflected genuine joy for Jesse’s success, proving his honesty and true sportsmanship even in defeat.
(6) Hitler opened the Olympic Games to all because several nations had threatened to withdraw if he restricted participation to Aryans only. To avoid international boycott and save Germany’s image, he allowed athletes from across the world.

B. Read these lines from the text and choose the correct answers.

Q1. “… nationalistic feelings were at an all-time high.” What does this sentence tell us? (para 1)
a. Each nation wanted to prove they were the 'master race'. 
b. Many nations wanted to prove Hitler wrong. 
c. Jesse Owens and other American athletes wanted to prove their superiority. 
Ans: (a) Each nation wanted to prove they were the 'master race'.

Jesse Owens introduces the chapter by describing the tense environment of the 1936 Olympics. Hitler’s ideology made nationalism very aggressive, and this sentence reflects how sports were being used as political propaganda.

Q2. Hitler had kept him under wraps, evidently hoping to win the jump with him. What did Hitler hope to prove with Luz Long? (para 3)
a. Germans were superior to any other race. 
b. Only Aryans should be allowed in competitive sports. 
c. It would bring Hitler international support. 
Ans: (a) Germans were superior to any other race.

Luz Long’s sudden introduction was not just sports strategy but propaganda. Hitler used Long as a symbol to “prove” Aryan superiority in front of the international audience.

Q3. That night I walked over to Luz Long's room in the Olympic village to thank him. What does this tell us about Owens? (para 16) 
a. Owens wanted to discuss his performance. 
b. Owens wanted advice for the finals. 
c. Owens felt he had found a real friend in Long. 
Ans: (c) Owens felt he had found a real friend in Long.

Jesse’s decision to thank Luz reflects the beginning of their lifelong friendship. It highlights how true sportsmanship can create human bonds beyond competition.

Q4. Long wrote in a letter before he died, "Someday find my son ... tell him about how things can be between men on this Earth." He wanted his son to know
a. how he and Owens became friends. 
b. that human beings of all races can live together peacefully. 
c. that wars were unnecessary and destructive. 
Ans: (b) that human beings of all races can live together peacefully.

This line shows Luz Long’s vision of humanity. Even during wartime, he emphasized peace, equality, and friendship across races.

Appreciating the Text

Q1. “You can melt down all the gold medals and cups I have, and they couldn't be a plating on the 24-carat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment.” Explain this metaphor in your own words.
Ans: The metaphor explains that medals and trophies are temporary, material rewards, while true friendship is permanent and priceless. Jesse valued Luz Long’s friendship so highly that no amount of gold could equal its worth. To him, this bond of trust, respect, and humanity was far greater than any sporting achievement, making it his most treasured prize of the Olympics.

Q2. Courage is not only found on a battlefield. There are many forms of courage. Luz Long was a courageous man. Look at these situations and say how he displayed courage.
a. "Why don't you draw a line a few inches in back of the board and aim at making your take-off from there?" 
Ans: Luz showed moral courage by helping Jesse with genuine advice, even though it could harm his own chances of winning. His action proved that real bravery lies in fairness, honesty, and uplifting others, even in competitive situations.

b. Despite the fact that Hitler glared at us from the stands not a hundred yards away, Luz shook my hand hard.
Ans: Luz displayed social and political courage by shaking Jesse’s hand in front of Hitler. Despite knowing the dictator’s racist ideology and the risks involved, he boldly chose friendship over fear, proving his integrity and humanity.

Q3. 'My Greatest Olympic Prize' is an autobiographical or a first-person account by Jesse Owens. Imagine if this story had been narrated by someone else. How would it affect:
a. the reality of the story
Ans: The reality would seem less authentic, since Jesse’s first-person narration adds truth and reliability. Without his direct voice, the story might sound like hearsay and lose its original strength.
b. the vividness of the emotions and thoughts
Ans: Another narrator could not fully capture Jesse’s inner struggles, nervousness, and gratitude. His personal description of relief and joy gave the story depth and vividness that only he could provide.

c. the value of the text for the reader
Ans: The inspirational value of the story lies in Jesse’s own narration. Reading his words makes the story more powerful and motivating. If told by someone else, it would lose emotional richness and personal connection.