The finish line appeared to blur in front of Mita's eyes. She heard labored breathing from her side and felt a whoosh as her competitor passed her.
She continued running at her steady pace, and just before she ran her final sprint another gust of air flew past her. She crumbled after the finish. Four years and it had come down to this. A bronze.
She could see the bowed down head of her coach, the unfocussed eyes of her mother.
But she only wanted to see one person. Carla Tamakova. The gold medalist who was proudly wearing her country's flag. This was her second gold medal. Mita had participated in two Olympics, only to be pipped at the post by Carla. In practice, Mita was faster, she held the world championship record, but she failed where it mattered.
Mita got up and replied politely to the tepid congratulations and walked towards Carla. As she shook her hands, she could still feel Carla's whole body shaking. When Mita met her eyes, it was a storm of emotions, flashing, fighting back tears.
Carla went and sat quietly away from the crowd as the podium was being setup. She placed her head in her lap. As she lifted her head, Mita was shocked to see her nostrils were flared.
On the podium, Carla's head bent low to accept her medal, but she remained bowing for a little longer. Mita was perplexed and blurted out.
"Why are you angry after winning?"
Carla pursed her lips.
"Because I couldn't beat your record."
Mita raised her brows and scoffed.
She clenched her fists and went to her coach. She held up a hand.
"Please don't say anything, I'm still reeling from something ridiculous."
Her coach mouthed what.
"Carla, can you believe she's not happy at this moment?"
"Whh-at!"
"Yes, and you'll never guess the reason.
Her coach looked at her for a while.
"Because she couldn't break your record?"
Carla jumped.
"Wow, how did you guess that? Isn't it silly? It makes my blood boil. The audacity of some people."
"Audacity. It is the reason she passed you. It fuels the spirit of competition. The need to be the best." The coach patted her shoulder and walked away.
Mita stared at the winner whose chin jutted out as her eyes lingered on the finish line. She turned to stare at Mita, who tilted her head in acknowledgement.