We need the grand incentive,
So we'll do our very best.
And be ever more inventive,
Prove we're better than the rest.

Though it starts with but a crawl,
We quick find we meet our goal.
Gathering in a medal haul,
And being in front and in control.

Local wins, at first the prize,
And initially contented.
We find this we can then reprise,
Find success addictive scented.

Modest dream to great success,
Where no longer small will do.
To be the best and nothing less,
The highest pinnacle in view.

Global soon becomes our aim,
To the world reveal our skill.
And the very highest honour claim,
Our hopes and dreams fulfil.

At this apogee arriving,
And our journey then complete.
Worthwhile has been the striving,
With no one else to now compete.

We've reached the sunny summit,
Rewarded struggle of the climb.
Away all others plummet,
The view deservedly sublime.

The knowledge now you can’t be beat.
There's no one person better.
Rids you of all pained past defeat,
The got of the past go-getter.

Does achievement make our world as is,
The best that it can be?
Source of all its whoosh and whiz,
Which spurs on you and me?

Though greed and avarice stalk this place,
Does this earth's handle turn?
Keep us moving at a pace,
To success, fame; fortune earn?

The ones whose gift, the rest will pull,
With fire stoked in their bellies.
Those with whom our media is full,
Papers, magazines and tellys.

Not for all, such lofty dreams,
Most will simply watch the race.
But that's our part or so it seems,
Exalt the winner and their pace.

In turn though we all benefit,
By such breathy boundaries breached.
As life advances bit by bit,
With new exciting vistas reached.

Culture, business, science and sport,
And more yet in its frame.
By this perpetual desire caught,
To ever more life’s garlands claim.

To push the limits of what can be done,
As humans, true achieve.
Then with life’s race to the finish run,
Hand on the baton as we leave.