The sprint, the one event, the only race
Was solemn, sacred, holy. Gods leaned down
And over clouds to watch a handsome face
Push forward to deserve the victor’s crown.
No one, except those gods perhaps, could know
Just how momentous was this triumph, for
It led to games whose legacy would flow
Past Jesus till his church could win its war
Against such godlike excellence. Divine
Opposed divine and then the martyr God
Defeated human winners. Asinine
Ecclesiastics solemnly outlawed
Olympic glory. Crosiers replaced
The javelins and heroes were disgraced.