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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#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!

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

“The Ninja from the Suburbs” by Zeeshan Mahmud

Submitted to Contest #256

Note: Contains scenes of violence and brief mention of mental health"I am sorry, ma'am, " the out-of-shape, African-American woman FAA officer interjected my mother politely. "We can't let you carry this.""But why?" My mom interjected. "I am allowed a carry-on. I am 67 year old diabetic patient with heart problems, cholesterol…"."Ma'am, I am sorry. But these are the rules. Our overhead compartment is full.""How can it be full? We didn't even go in." She objected."Com'on mom, don't be a Karen." I tried to make it light."No wait. Why should I ...

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“Chasing the sunset” by Sneha Pandya

Submitted to Contest #256

My pit crew cheered as I walked towards my red Mustang. Sounds of engines revving up around me, made me hasten my pace. I waved as the boisterous voice over the stadium microphone, announced my arrival. “All set to go in her Red Mustang, we’ve got Gabriela Martin. She started her journey winning the Australian FIA F4 three years ago. She has been unstoppable since – F4 Champion. F2 Champion. Gabriela did not simply climb the junior single seater ladder - she charged up to knock loudly on the F1 door. We are so proud of our diva! Give a...

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“Blood Velvet” by Ursula Delgado

Submitted to Contest #256

Charlotte pulled her chocolate brown hair into a low bun. Her mother brushed a few strands off her face and smiled. "You look perfect, sweetie," she said. Charlotte scrutinized her reflection in the mirror. "I'm not sure about my dress. Isn't sage green a bit mundane? I thought I was supposed to be starting a revolution, not going to a garden party."Her mother shook her head. "Stealing the Queen's wedding gown and wearing it to her ball is a bold statement in any color. Might as well make it match the dress code.""Well, there's nothing to do...

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“Perfect on Paper” by Tennille Boyer

Submitted to Contest #256

The ugly, moldy scent slaps me in the face as I say goodbye to the crisp air outside. It is immediately suffocating. Its crooked arms wrap around my neck. It breathes down my back, sending prickles down my spine. It wants me to know that I can’t leave. The scent has become a part of me; it is wrapped up in my identity. I am its host, and I must prove that I am a worthy one. Truthfully, it’s not much different than my life outside these cement walls. The phrase “prove yourself” has played on a continuous loop in my mind since I was seven...

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“Marathon To the Finish Line” by Sharon Schoneveld

Submitted to Contest #256

Marathon to the Finish Line The finish line is near. She can feel it. Months upon months of practice - building muscle, refining her reflexes, regulating her heartbeat. She hears the crowd, cheering her on. Is it her they are encouraging or another? She can’t distinguish their words, but their energy and enthusiasm are palpable and urge her forward. There is no turning back now. She has prepared all her life for this marathon. She is aiming for under 3 hours, but knows that others have taken much lon...

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“More than Medals” by Traci Dietrich

Submitted to Contest #256

It was almost time. Her mind flashed back to the day she started her training. It wasn’t because she wanted to, it was because she had to. She was left with no choice if she ever wanted to leave that little town. And she did. With her whole heart. Even at the age of six she knew the world beyond there was calling to her. Six was when her love of running started too. She first felt the freedom one October day when a girl named Shannon from her class started chasing her home. She was no match for the strength of Shannon, but her instinct...

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“The Final Kick” by Samuel Lees

Submitted to Contest #256

The Final KickBy Samuel LeesThis is it. This was everything he had dreamt of, the moment he had trained for all of his life. If Harold Lane could score this penalty kick, England would win the European Championship, their first trophy since 1966.Harold Lane, the England captain had been a massive football fan for as long as he could remember. He lived and breathed the sport, and dreamt that one day he could lead his country to glory. For most people, this would remain a dream, but not for Harold, as he swore that he would do everything in hi...

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“Formosa: Swim” by Pei Pei Lin

Submitted to Contest #256

He dives into the water. The chill wetness invigorates him as he thrusts back up for air. He is instantly comforted by the embrace of the water, which has been hugging him since he was just a small child. He looks to the horizon, still fish-gray colored at the crack of dawn. Sitting on a boat beside him, Tamu stretches out his arms and yawns, “So how many kilometers are we going for today?” “Eight. We don't have school today.” “Good grief!” But he is smiling and starting the motor, “Let's get started!” He starts to swim along the coastline,...

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“One of Fifty” by Pearl Dreamer

Submitted to Contest #256

This story contains depictions of pain and hurting oneself, though not for reasons stemming from self-hatred or desire to inflict harm. She breathed into her back, softening her neck to tilt her head down and dip into a light bow. Shoulders back— She could feel her pulse fluttering in her neck as she rose, lashes fluttering and eyes remaining trained on the floor. Respectful— She kept her arms carefully concealed in the long sleeves draped over her arms; palms slightly sweaty, she subtly stretched her fingers to relax the tense muscles. Ele...

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“The School Fight” by Jack Bennett Sr.

Submitted to Contest #256

The School Yard Fight At twelve years old I was not the smallest kid in the class, but pretty darn close. My name is Willy Wallace and the guy I managed to avoid for the entire school year was Peter Dombrowski. He was big, tough and a bully. So here it was, 1962, and the last day of school before a two-month summer holiday, and I had been challenged, or rather ordered, to meet Peter at recess behind third base for a fist fight. All because I didn’t keep my poise when he messed my hair while in line. I ...

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“The Myth of the Golden Domes” by James Ott

Submitted to Contest #256

A SHORT STORY The Myth of the Golden Domes &n...

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“The 497th Santa” by Tempest Phoenix Smith

Submitted to Contest #256

Mabel patted her hair, fingered underneath the back, then switched the hairdryer off and set it down on the dresser. Silence rushed in. She put one hand on the wall to steady herself and bent over to turn off the mains before unplugging the gadget. She would let it cool down before putting it back in the drawer later today.When she stood up, she was eye level with one of the teddies perched on the long shelf above her daughter’s bed. She tried to read some message in those glass amber eyes, felt she might get some insight, maybe one word to ...

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“The Olympian You Are” by Jessica Argyle

Submitted to Contest #256

By the time I noticed the missing lamp, half the contents of the house were gone. If she hated her life so much, why did she want reminders? But DeAnna was frugal and in the end, it’s the little things that give you away; the habits. The blue blanket was one of the early things to go. She claimed the dog got sick on it. You don’t want to know, she said, so I assumed she trashed it. Then the down pillows were replaced by foam. I made a fuss about it and she actually brought one back after I went on a hunt for it, looking under the bed, in the...

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“Kat and Dog” by Karen Duffell-Canham

Submitted to Contest #256

KAT AND DOG This, their first tandem Iron Man 21km race, was their debut run for the new athletics club. The two girls had joined the club at the same time. They were the ‘new girls’ together. They wore the green and gold with pride. No pressure then thought Kat! The athletics club was a wonderful social experience, full of camaraderie and good humor. Everyone was so supportive of the two girl's efforts in this race. They had made a whole community of new friends. Michelle, her partner, had had a leg injury a ...

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“Tommy's Stop” by Joseph Hawke

Submitted to Contest #256

This is a true story. Tom, my high school friend and teammate, and I, despite interruptions over the course of forty years, now in our mid-fifties, remain connected to one another. We went to Concord High School in Wilmington Delaware, where we also attended the same church, Holy Child, less than a mile from the high school. Tom, even though he played no instrument and his singing was off-key, was also in our church music group, the SIGN of Peace. I was the group’s drummer. SIGN stood for Singing in God's Name. It was started by a guy ...

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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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