THE WINNING LOSER
During the 1960 Olympics, defending gold medalist Al Oerter and teammate Rink Babka were expected to take the gold and silver medal in the discus throw. Although Babka was very ill the night before the competition, he beat his teammate in the first four throws. On the fifth throw Oerter stepped into the circle, spun around, and threw the discus farther than any other that day. He had snatched victory from defeat and won the gold medal, while Babka had noticed and pointed out a flaw in Oerter’s technique during the fourth throw. A small adjustment was all Oerter needed, and it cost Babka the gold medal. Babka was not the winner that year, but no one could call him a loser. From Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, ed. by Michael P. Green
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