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#256: Going for Gold

We're entering into a major summer of sports. From the Euros and the Copa America, through Grand Prix and grand slams, to the Olympics and Paralympics, you can barely switch on the TV without catching something. Even those of us who aren't usually sports fans seem to be finding ourselves caught up in the fever-pitch of excitement.

And there's a reason for this: sports bring us together. Whether we're viewing for the spectacle, for tales of heroism and tragedy, or for a feeling of community, there's just something about it. This week's prompts invite you to channel the experience of athletes and fans, and to capture that atmosphere in writing. We look forward to seeing who takes gold!

🥇 Winner

“Injury Time” by Melissa Van Rensburg

🏆 Winner of Contest #256

Trigger warning: Domestic abuse, rapeThalia wipes down the pristine kitchen countertops, impatient for the game to start. She glances at the clock, then her eye catches the pile of bills on the table. The radio blares pre-match commentary filled with praise for the footballers. She turns down the volume so it won’t wake little Gabbi. She takes a seat at the kitchen table with a sigh. Another hard shift at the hospital is behind her, but it was always worth it in the end. Today, an elderly woman hugged her and gave her a peppermint. “As ...

106 comments 106

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“Psst...(Jill killed Jack)” by Tommy Goround

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #256

“I very much need some socks pretty please with sugar on top.” This was the text that I sent to my estranged ex-wife. The one who wanted to drag me out to the wilderness under the guise of talking about financing our first childs’ entrance into college. I knew that she was old fashioned and wanted to push me from a hill. Just like Fellini. So my last request was not very sinister. I mean, even death row inmates should get some free laundry or a meal. Maybe even a prayer? I looked into the pantry of my rental and decided there ...

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“Underneath Fernando” by Sophie Goldstein

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #256

Ricardo followed Jorge reluctantly up the stairs to their section of the stands. Jorge turned to Ricardo, saw the expression on his face and rolled his eyes. “Why did you say yes to this if that’s how you’re going to look?” Jorge asked. “For the free booze and hot dogs,” Ricardo responded dryly. Jorge shook his head but said nothing. They got to their seats and Ricardo looked out at the field. Night games were admittedly somewhat magical. He didn’t know why, but it felt otherworldly. Like the teams and the crowd were momentarily thrust into ...

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“Henry's Fight” by Casey Morin

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #256

It was beginning to look like Henry was going to accomplish a goal he had been working towards for 30 years. And he was pissed about it. He was standing in the Crimson Dragon Pub at the center shuffleboard table during the championship round. But all he could think was that this was not how it was supposed to happen. One night 30 years ago Henry had started playing at the lone beat up old shuffleboard table at the Crimson with his old army pal Dave. Dave was about the only person that could stand any time around Henry, and even he only did t...

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This week's prompts

Set your story in the stands at a major sporting event.

Fiction – 40 stories

Write about someone who has trained all their life for one moment.

Character – 45 stories

Write a story about an underdog, or somebody making a comeback.

Character – 42 stories

Write about a moment of defeat.

Angst – 54 stories

Write a story about two sporting rivals having to work together.

Funny – 23 stories

Stories

“Injury Time” by Melissa Van Rensburg

🏆 Winner of Contest #256

Trigger warning: Domestic abuse, rapeThalia wipes down the pristine kitchen countertops, impatient for the game to start. She glances at the clock, then her eye catches the pile of bills on the table. The radio blares pre-match commentary filled with praise for the footballers. She turns down the volume so it won’t wake little Gabbi. She takes a seat at the kitchen table with a sigh. Another hard shift at the hospital is behind her, but it was always worth it in the end. Today, an elderly woman hugged her and gave her a peppermint. “As ...

106 comments 106

Read story

“Psst...(Jill killed Jack)” by Tommy Goround

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #256

“I very much need some socks pretty please with sugar on top.” This was the text that I sent to my estranged ex-wife. The one who wanted to drag me out to the wilderness under the guise of talking about financing our first childs’ entrance into college. I knew that she was old fashioned and wanted to push me from a hill. Just like Fellini. So my last request was not very sinister. I mean, even death row inmates should get some free laundry or a meal. Maybe even a prayer? I looked into the pantry of my rental and decided there ...

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“Tenise” by Derrick M Domican

Submitted to Contest #256

Time of contact: 15:05:01Impact Force: 6000 NewtonsServe speed: 135mphDistance travelled: 25.5mAngle: 60 degrees to horizontalVelocity: 82m/sRequired service return response: Ten paces left moving forward 30 degrees, commence swing at 15:05:03, apply 5500 newtons of pressure in a topspin forehand shot with an upward trajectory of 35 degrees to the horizontal.That’s what the voice of the AI vocoder instructs inside me head, for the umpteenth time this session, an’ who am I ta argue? It’s not like I’m important. Not like I was ever a champ, mu...

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“Always Next Season” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #256

The first televised FA Cup Final occurred in 1938 and it was a lacklustre affair. After 29 minutes of extra-time with no goals, BBC commentator Thomas Woodrooffe said, “if there’s a goal now, I’ll eat my hat.” Thousands were already on their way towards the exits, when Preston’s inside-right was brought down and the referee pointed towards the penalty spot. Wembley stadium was silent when George Mutch set the ball in place with aplomb and retreated a few steps. He raised his head, picked his mark and darting forward, hoofed the ball, which t...

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“Xer-Bane Didn't Bless Dwarfs with Long Legs” by Daniel Rogers

Submitted to Contest #256

I was pacing myself, knowing that a cross-country race isn't won by speed but by stamina. It's a good thing, too, since Xer-Bane didn't bless dwarfs with long legs. Suddenly, an elf came from behind and shoulder-checked me. Before regaining my balance, I wobbled and came very close to hitting a tree. "Do that again, and I'll knock that smirk off your face!" I said between breaths. "Gotta catch me first, Phlegm-it!" The windbag yelled. "Flimlet! You pompous, girly-haired nimrod!" I remember seeing this guy before the race, but I have no idea ...

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“Fair Lady Charity” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #256

Fair Lady Charity Carlton gawked at Riley. Riley gawked at Carlton. Then they couldn't help bursting out in laughter.“Did you see that fool running around like a banshee screeching with his head afire?” Sir Carlton guffawed. “Then making a beeline to the exit with his bigwig still steaming once the flaming baton twirler doused him with the pail of water?” Sir Riley chortled. “Never witnessed anything quite so hilarious!” His good friend still snickering choked out.“How did his pencil neck ever hold up that enormous fancy wig?” Riley tried to...

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“The Big Race” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #256

The crowd went wild as I took off from the starting line in The Big Race. Through the cheering I heard Mom shouting “Run, Sammy, Run!” I knew without looking that she was smiling from ear to ear and clapping her hands for me. She was probably jumping up and down also. I kept my eyes straight ahead running as fast as I could. I quickly passed my best friend Tyrannosaurus Rex because, let’s face it, he wasn’t the fastest runner in the toy box. We trained together in the park, and I got a little bit faster every day, ...

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“In From The Cold” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #256

In From The ColdThrough the rain spattered window of the dimly lit coffee shop I watch a pair of bicycles pass. The riders draped in yellow oilcloth ponchos and sou-westerns are hunched over their handlebars while negotiating through standstill traffic. Inside, the air is thick and warm, the coffee strong. I am growing mellow on second-hand smoke. The neon sign reflects on the dregs in my cup. It’s time. Leaving a few guilders, I shrug back into my still wet coat.Water splashes on the wet cobblestones. Light from nearby windows and lamp post...

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“Giggles the Heroic Donkey, Underdog of the Mystical Coast ” by Kristi Gott

Submitted to Contest #256

Years later, Giggles the little donkey still remembered the first big challenge she won, against the coyotes stalking her friend, Huckleberry, the baby elk calf.In that contest between donkey and coyotes, the donkey's unexpected skills and natural gifts surprised the coyotes, who thought they were clever.It was 1898 in the rainforest wilderness of the Mystical Coast, where emerald mountains covered by towering fir trees met the vast ocean reaching to the horizons.Appearing to be an underdog, with her plain, grey hair, stubby legs, and tall, ...

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“Tenuous Teamwork” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #256

Mention of Sexual ViolenceVikky went shopping with Aunt Ruth after school on Thursday. Aunt Ruth chattered excitedly. You’d have thought young Thomas had asked her to be his girl at the school prom. This shopping trip seemed exactly like Ruth’s cup of Earl Grey. Yet, she appeared as overlooked as a solitary ham sandwich in comparison with a plate of tasty hors d’oeuvresHer niece, Vikky, stole the show. She commanded attention from the razor-sharp cut of her long black bob, her crisply pleated miniskirt and knee-high socks, to her chunky, bla...

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“Underneath Fernando” by Sophie Goldstein

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #256

Ricardo followed Jorge reluctantly up the stairs to their section of the stands. Jorge turned to Ricardo, saw the expression on his face and rolled his eyes. “Why did you say yes to this if that’s how you’re going to look?” Jorge asked. “For the free booze and hot dogs,” Ricardo responded dryly. Jorge shook his head but said nothing. They got to their seats and Ricardo looked out at the field. Night games were admittedly somewhat magical. He didn’t know why, but it felt otherworldly. Like the teams and the crowd were momentarily thrust into ...

Read story

“Empress Evangeline” by Kevin Marlow

Submitted to Contest #256

“Evangeline?”“Yes, she can keep the name, Tokarov. We are Overlords, not monsters.”“Can I see her?”“Why would you ask such a ridiculous question?”“The child, she's alright?”"With all you, and we have invested in this offspring, why would you question it? It thrives, the first Human/Sabinarath hybrid. It feeds, grows, the other Overlords are impressed. This hybrid might be able to populate New Eden successfully. We have located a fertile planet, yet, there is one final obstacle."“What? What do you mean?”“You must rekindle your warrior spirit....

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“The Human Race” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #256

Running water and clanking of plates cut through the morning tension. “Finish your oatmeal Martim. All of it!” Martim's mother, Camilla, said from the kitchen. She walked to the calendar on the fridge and circled the 15th, trailed by red X's. The clacking of dress shoes shuffling down the steps made Martim look up from his bowl. “Kate is almost ready, what’s with the sad face Camila?” His father, Antonio, said. “This is a cakewalk for him, you know this. Stop worrying, Martim getting last place is impossible.” “Any paren...

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“Visitor's Game” by Nicholas Thomas

Submitted to Contest #256

Splash! Splash! Splash! I jumped in place at the sudden noise. I turned and looked across the parking lot and saw a group of teenagers huddled together, jumping in unison in a puddle from the rain earlier today as they chanted a fight song for their team. I didn’t realize I was staring at them until one of them saw me, broke from their circle raised their arms in challenge, and shouted, “What?” across the lot, his friends laughing and smirking at me. I blinked at them, realized how tense I had become, and turned away – I could hear them laug...

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“Ace of Hearts ” by Sarah Baker

Submitted to Contest #256

Has tennis champion Laia Wilson ever had a bad day in her life? When the question is directed at the press, the answer is a simple no.“She’s perfect!” A reporter might say.The reporter could be anyone.They might be a lady with crooked eyebrows, one who talks so fast that ten percent of her audience can’t understand her. Maybe a rapidly aging man who has trouble reading the telecaster, squinting his eyes because he’s one nervous laugh away from being fired.Who the reporter is doesn’t matter. Why? Because every other reporter out there, s...

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$250

Prize money

204

Contest entries

102

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 28, 2024 EST

Won by Melissa Van Rensburg 🏆

Title: Injury Time

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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