[soft music] [timer ticking] [footsteps running] [tired breathing] [lock turning] [rhythmic music] [exaggerated unlocking] [exaggerated unzipping] BOB KERSEE (VOICEOVER):
Falling and catching. Rise up and let the
wind take you there. Put your head down. Keep it down, girl. Arms. More. See what happens when
you listen to me? Reach down and grab victory. Feel the power, Gail. Inside and out. Drive and pull. [EXAGGERATED UNROLLING AND
TEARING] Speed Merchant. That's what you are. They can't catch you, Devers,
unless you want to be caught. Get going, girl. [exaggerated locker closing] [soft uplifting music] [gunshot] [cheering] [soft music] [cheering] Now. Come on, now. [soft music] [cheering] [soft music] [cheering] Yes! [soft uplifting music] [cheering] REPORTER: Over here! Ms. Gail! Ms. Gail!
Over here! Ms. Gail. ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen,
can I have your attention, please? The winner of the Women's 100
Meters Hurdles, Gail Devers, with a time of 12.68 seconds,
a new national record! [cheering] [cheering fades] I won! Did you see me? I saw it. I set a record. Barely. Had a long takeoff,
short touchdown-- head way up in the clouds somewhere. Bobby, I won today. So did 100 other girls
in 100 other places. And if you don't
stay on it, the Games are going to slip right
through your fingers. Been trying to tell you. You ain't gonna listen. OK, I'll take my take off
and work on my touchdown! Hey, D, congratulations. You won today. [bell tolling] GAIL DEVERS: Oh, Gail. Calm down. Remember to breathe. Oh. MRS. DEVERS: Gail? Meemaw, I can't believe this. This is my day! Come on! Your daddy is waiting. Hey, Papa! Take this one! You were supposed to
be here 30 minutes ago. - I know that.
- And how do you do? Hello.
How are you? Where were you? The caterer was late. - Hi, Reverend.
- He got the wrong-- [overlapping voices] I'll never use him again. Hello. How do you do? Thank you for coming. Everything's OK. Don't make a fuss. Don't you look nice? Thank you. - I'm gonna find Gail.
- Yes. OK. MAN: You can put that
package right in over there. Why do we always
get nervous, huh? I don't understand. Oh, well, well,
I don't remember. It's been so long since your
uncle and I got married, but it's--
[camera click] One more. Now look right at this. [camera click]
OK, you're good now. OK. Now, is that the last one? Just 10 more. Oh, no, no, no. We have to get her ready. GAIL DEVERS: Whose
cousin are you? One more time. MRS. DEVERS: This is
RJ's second cousin. [stammering] Kenny. Mm-hmm.
Uh-huh. Oh, that's very good. I tell you, but let-- let's get her ready, and
we'll see you outside. - Oh, OK.
- OK. Yeah.
One more. [camera click] Coach Kersee, so
glad to see you. You too, Reverend Devers. Gail will be thrilled. Oh, yeah. I'm not going to
make her run today. [laughter] Well, thank the Lord I
only have to do this once. Ah. What do you think? Well, you know, I think
they might just make it. I'm going to get me a front row
seat and watch the festivities. - All right.
- Good luck to you, sir. Thank you. See you at the reception. OK. Gail? What is-- Something's
wrong here. I'm gonna have to
take a tuck in. Oh, no. We can't take a tuck in this. It's fine. Honey, this fit you
perfectly a week ago. Well, how could you lose-- My body's always changing. But how could you lose
so much weight in one week? Oh, come on, Meemaw. It's OK.
- Well. And nobody's going
to notice but you. I know. OK, get your Granny's
diamond earrings over here on the table. Careful, careful, careful. Congressman, how are you? So nice to see you. Thank you. GAIL DEVERS: Uh-uh. No, Meemaw. You are not going
to do this again. No. Not again. Can't help it. I'm so happy today, Meemaw. I hope it stays
that way forever. You deserve it. (SINGING) Why should I-- REVEREND DEVERS: We
are gathered here today to join this man and this woman
in the holy state of matrimony. It is a solemn oath, and one
not to be entered into lightly. MAN: That's right. REVEREND DEVERS: You
may now kiss the bride. (SINGING) I see-- [clapping] --because-- [happy chatter] [applause] [camera click] [STEVE ALLEN, "THE GIRL CAN'T
HELP IT"] The girl can't help it, she's just naturally grace. You stepped on my foot, Bobby. Well, you need to get your
foot out the way, Jackie. Sure you know how
to do that number? You know, you used
to be able to dance. Oh, quiet. I'm just waiting for my song. I did. Come on. Let's go mess with
Jackie and Bobby. [laughs] All right. Hey, Bobby. Hey! Congratulations. Hey, Hampton. Baby girl. JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE:
We're so happy for you. Congratulations. Oh, here I go again. [laughs] Hey, man. I didn't know you owned a
pair of hard shoes, Coach. Oh, yeah. I've been known to get off
the track from time to time. [laughter] Yeah. You all leave my
handsome husband alone. You heard that, huh? [laughter] Shall we dance?
BOB KERSEE: Let's dance. All right. (SINGING) And two boots so fine. And by the way--
- Oh, stop it. Bobby, behave. [tapping on glass] REVEREND DEVERS: First
of all, on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Hampton,
my wife and myself, I want to thank each and
every one of you for coming. I think it's about time that
we let these young people go and begin their married life. But before they do, I
want to say a few words, because that's what ministers
do, and I paid for the wedding. [laughter] You've got to know that this
is one of the happiest moments of my life. We've all seen Gail grow
up in this church family. That's right. And we've seen her grow
into a champion runner blessed with divine power. WOMAN: That's right. REVEREND DEVERS:
RJ, her husband, is a fine athlete
in his own right. MAN: Well. REVEREND DEVERS: He's not as
fast as Gail, but then again, who is? [laughter and clapping] But at least, RJ, you don't
have to bring her in by 12:00 anymore.
- Well, thank you. REVEREND DEVERS: Yeah. Yeah. [laughter] But seriously, RJ, I
can't think of a better husband for my daughter,
or a finer son in law. MAN: Yes. Gail, RJ, to you,
Gail and to you, RJ, I'd like to wish you both
God's blessing, God's grace, and above all, Godspeed. MAN: All right, now. Godspeed! WOMAN: Godspeed. MAN: Godspeed. [glasses clinking]
- Godspeed. Godspeed. Godspeed. REVEREND DEVERS:
Praise the Lord. [seagulls cawing] [tides crashing] Come on, Gail! I thought you said this was
going to be the last mile! Catch up, RJ! All right now. Don't think I can't catch you! All right, where you going? Where you going? Come on now!
- Come on! I got you! I got you now! I'm coming! [yell] [laughter] Come here you. Can't get away. [laughter] Oh, Gail. You want some more, don't you? I'm hungry. Let's get some breakfast. No. I'm not ready quite yet. Mm. Mm! Because, uh, there is
nobody here but you and me. Come on, RJ. Let's run. Run? We only got two
more miles to go. - Gail, it's my honeymoon!
- Come on! Just two more miles. I promise, I'll be back before
you get out of the shower. I'm going back, Gail. I'm going back now. I'm going-- Gail, for real! Keep the hot water running! Gail-- I'm leaving now, Gail! [rhythmic soft music] Oh, honey, this is beautiful! Hey, careful now. I just got you. I don't want to lose you now. There's no losing me. You know what? Let's buy a house. I mean a big house. Yeah, with lots of rooms,
and a garden full of flowers. - And a fireplace.
- Yeah. And a dog.
- Oh! Gots to have a dog. Mm-hmm. Look after you and the
kids when I'm not at home-- Mm. --so I don't have to worry
about my little family. [tides crashing] [rhythmic music] [gunshot] [cheers] [exhale] I think I made it. Yeah, I wasn't supposed to win. I mean, I just
supposed to qualify. ANNOUNCER: Qualifying for the
US team and the Games in Seoul are Keisha McCants, Shannon
Woods, and Gail Devers. [cheers]
- That's the point. I just have to qualify. Pat yourself on the back. [rhythmic music] [tired breathing] [ominous notes] [rhythmic music] [squeak]
[whistle blow] Gail! Girl, what are you doing? Nothing. I'm fine. Baby, this race
takes 50 strides. No more, no less. You're four more
better than five. I'm just a little
tired, that's all. Tired? COACH: All right. Nice form. Nice form, J. You're tired as in you
got too much sleep, or tired as in you didn't get enough? I got just the right amount. - [mumbles] Right amount?
- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Hey. What do you see? Where? Down there. Tell me what you see. The lane. Past that. GAIL DEVERS: The wall? Past that. I can't see past the wall-- Right. Can't see past the wall. You want to win the gold? Yeah-- Do-- you-- want to win the gold? Yeah, I want to win the gold. And what you don't know
is you already got it. It's out there waiting
for you to claim it. You've got to use your mind and
your heart and imagine yourself already winning that
race, making yourself crossing that finish line. First-- huh-- you
trace the steps that got you there backwards. You end up right
here, right now. I-- I don't want to hear it! Two 100 meter repeats. Chop, chop.
Right now. Right now! RJ HAMPTON: Gail, why do
you take that shit from him? GAIL DEVERS: Same reason
everybody else does. He's the best track
coach in the world. Says him. Says everybody. I don't want to talk about
Kersee any more tonight. I just want to go to sleep. My head is killing me. Woman, what you got on? Mm. What you doing now? My eye hurts. Well, here. Let me kiss it and
make it better. Mm, you smell good! [groan] All right, J. [groans and kisses] Where you going? Huh? RJ. What do you see? What? There. What do you see? RJ, I'm too tired for games. Ah, so you're not
looking, but I am. And I don't just see
a bed and some sheets and pillows-- oh, no.
- No? Oh, no. What do you see? What you got to see-- to the other side of that bed,
past those sheets and pillows. See? You got to see your
fulfillment already there. [seductive music] Sexual [kiss] ecstasy, [kiss]
just waiting to be playing now. I'm not sure I
want to come here. But you got to. It's already there. And it's so nice. So soft. Begging me for more. [speaking softly] Your thighs. [giggling] [shower running] Honey, I was thinking-- thinking about getting
cable hooked up. What do you think?
- Sure. Yeah. [ominous music] RJ HAMPTON: Don't forget to
call that, uh, the press for all sports endorsements. It sounded serious. They called, like, three times. You hear me, baby? Yeah. Uh-huh, I heard you. Can you grab me the towel? Yeah. Here you go. [toilet flushes] [concerned music] [tired breathing] We can be out here all
night if you want to. Now when we gonna start
moving these numbers in the right direction? Huh? I don't know. Is it fear, Devers? Because fear is
not real, you know? It's just an excuse to
keep it from doing the work that you ought to be doing. Bobby, I'm not
trying to get out-- No, you're not! I'm gonna hit the showers. Hey, Devers. You think the Europeans
are hitting the showers? Huh? [thunder rolling] [door slams] [groan] [troubled, dissonant breathing] [groan] [thunderous shower] [exaggerated note hit] [troubled horn playing] [exaggerated draining] [gunshot] [cheers] Go, RJ! Come on! ANNOUNCER: Qualifying for the
US team in Seoul in the Men's 400 meter are George
Chappell, Michael Meadows, and Steve Heinke. [sad slow music] GAIL DEVERS: Oh, no. [exhale] This can't be. What's happening? Oh, hey, girl. Hey, Jackie. You're trying to
beat the line too, huh? Yeah. I got to get out of here. Ooh. Somebody's been doing
too much honeymooning. Yeah. It's all J's cooking. Yeah. But don't say that to Bobby. I know that's right. What? You're not pregnant, are you? No, I'm not pregnant. No, I just weighed in with
my left hand, that's all. Hun, I know what can
happen on a honeymoon. Well, it didn't. [laughs] Course, when
I think about it, when Bobby and I first got married-- Uh-huh? --next time I looked up,
I was carrying five pounds of somebody else's boot-- body. And I know he had something
to say about it, too. Yo, Bobby J. You
girls just in time. Team weigh-in. Stand in line, now. No, I got to go. Sorry I can't stay, Dr. Otis. [door closes] [footsteps] RJ? RJ HAMPTON: Yeah? Hi, baby. When'd you get home? Three hours ago. The practice ran long today. And I had to stop at the store. I got home as soon as I could. How was your meeting? [pity laugh] My
job stinks, Gail. You know, and I wanted to come
home and tell you about it. I even hoped that
maybe you might have even had dinner ready for me. Imagine that. Well, I'm making
dinner for you right now. I've already eaten! [sigh] Towels. Three hours. [scoff] Three hours, Gail. I told you, practice
ran long tonight. Look, you don't have to run
every second of every day! Well, you certainly
living proof of that. I'm going out. Can't believe this shit. [door slams] [car drives away] Oh, I don't need this. [trouble music] I'll be back on the 27th. How am I supposed
to reach you in Korea? Um, there's a phone
number on the refrigerator. Just in case. Thanks. They say it's going
to be warm over there, so I'm not going to
take a lot of stuff. Oh, do you know where
my red sweatshirt is? The clothes hamper
last time I saw it. [phone ringing] Hello? Hi, Meemaw. Well, yeah, it'll take you
about an hour to get here. I'll be ready for sure by then. [concerned horn music] Hold on. Baby, I got to go. Have a good time. I'll call you, RJ. [door slams] [deafening airplane] [rhythmic music] [laughter and chatter] [cheers] ANNOUNCER 1: [speaking japanese] ANNOUNCER 2: Ladies
and gentlemen, this is the first qualifying heat for
the Women's 100 Meter Hurdles. [scattered clapping] OFFICIANT: [speaking japanese] [speaking japanese] [gunshot] [cheers and applause] [trouble music notes] ANNOUNCER: [speaking japanese] [dramatic notes] [distant cheers] Are you OK? Jackie, something's
wrong with me. What's wrong? [indistinct chatter] [dramatic notes] Is this the right position? Are all the test results in? But what can it be? We want an answer. It's nothing. We can't find a thing. Look, the X-rays are clear. And that's all
you can tell us? See for yourself. [curious music] It's probably just stress. Doctor, my daughter
is an athlete. She's a fine-tuned machine. She knows when there's
something wrong. And so do I. Please, you're always free
to seek a second opinion. Ms. Devers, I believe that
this is an emotional response. Oh, my God. Is there something
bothering you? There's nothing
bothering her at all. Thank you, Doctor. [distant chatter] Hey. Hey. Nothing, huh? That's what they say. Unless they say I
have everything, which is the same as nothing. I'm the sickest
healthy person around. They don't know what it is? They mostly say it's stress. Well, the doctors, they know
what they're talking about. That's what it is then.
- They don't know. Only I know what's
wrong with me. You do, huh? GAIL DEVERS: Mm-hmm. What is it? When I started running,
it was almost by accident. My mother said I had
stolen a star from the sky. And I would look
up into the night and I'd wonder which
star I'd stolen. Then I got scared, so I realized
if I had stolen the star, it wouldn't be up there,
it would be with me, and wouldn't God want it back? I'm saying God came
and took his star and stuck it back up in the sky. Maybe he doesn't want
me running anymore. What do you think? What do I think? I think it's the most words
you've said at one time since I known you. [thunder rolling] Hey, it's getting a little late. Let's go. No, I'm going to
sit here for a while. Practice tomorrow, Devers. Be ready. [concerned rhythmic music] [thunder rumbling] Dammit. You're sure running
is your gift, Devers? You added 3/10ths to your time. You must be marked or something. Great Gail Devers. It's Mrs. Hampton. Oh, excuse me. Mrs. Hampton. Haven't seen your husband
run in so many months, thought you might
have been a widow. And by the way-- hey! We don't believe in
Godspeed here on my track. We rely on our own. You got it? Now do it again, and
faster this time. Come on! [whistle blow] Sure, you're right! How come you didn't do
that in the first place? She runs faster
when she's mad, huh? Atta girl! Check it out. RUNNER: I don't want
to hear it, man. I smoked! BOB KERSEE: Hey, Gail! Where's she going? RJ HAMPTON: I'm
glad you're back. RJ. No, no. Who the hell is he? - Maybe I should go back.
- What? Are you crazy? For what? I've been trying to get
you to see him for who he really is all along, Gail. And I knew you'd get it one day. RJ, please. Bet he wouldn't talk
to a man like that. No, no, you're not
going back to him, Gail. I'm serious. I'm putting my foot down. Don't you go sneaking
behind my back. And where am I going
to find myself a coach? I'm not going to
give up running. Where? I'll tell you where. Me. You? Yeah, Gail. I know everything he
knows-- even more. It'd be great. We can work together every day. Who knows more about
the length of these legs and where they lead than I do? You'd really coach me? You promise, RJ? I'm a man of my word. And you know that. Come on, let's go. One more set. All right, put your hands up. Come on, hands up. RJ, please. - Get them knees up.
- Knees up? Come on.
Come on. Come on, let's go! Let's get em up! Slow down, slow down, slow down. OK. All right, let's walk it out. You're good.
Yeah. See? we can do this. BOB KERSEE: Hey, Gail. How are you feeling? I'm OK. BOB KERSEE: Good. Just go in the house, baby. She doesn't want to see you. Ever. [trouble music] Why don't you let
Gail tell me that? Look, she doesn't even
want to see you to tell you she doesn't want to see you. That's how much she
doesn't want to see you. [door opens] All right. [distant dog barking] Hey. Hey. So what happened? RJ's training her now. What? RJ is training here now. Well, did you talk to Gail? No. You know you didn't help
the situation any, Bobby? What are you talking about? I got into the Games, and
the fact that she lost, that's not my fault. You got her to the Games? Yes, I got her to the Games. No. She got herself
there with your help. [groan] At least
there's some other runners who do want my help. Yeah? BOB KERSEE: Yeah. None as fast as Gail. You know this don't
make no sense. How's RJ going to help
Gail win anything? Let alone some gold. [alarm buzzing] [clock ticking] RJ? Come on, sweetheart. Time to hit the track. Come on, RJ. Now, you promised
you'd come with me. You said this
morning you'd come. [groans] Mm-mm. No. Mm-mm. Are you going to
train me or what? I will do it this
weekend, I promise. This is the third time, RJ. I need you to come with me. RJ HAMPTON: Baby, I got
to be at work at 9:00. Come on, now. I'm tired. [trouble music] [struggle breathing] Gail? [car door closes] GAIL DEVERS: I wouldn't
have phoned, Dr. Otis, but you're my last hope. It's fine, Gail. Sit down. I-- I haven't
been feeling well. Uh-huh? Right, I see. How long ago did this start? I don't know. A year? [ominous notes] No.
Longer. While I was still on the team. Well, I see your skin. [ominous notes] Something's wrong
with me, isn't it? [ominous notes] Gail, I believe
something is wrong. I have a friend of
mine, Dr. Ginsburg. He's a wonderful doctor. And I want you to
see him, and you tell him everything you told me. DOCTOR: (ECHO) It's nothing. JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE: (ECHO) Is
there something bothering you? DOCTOR: (ECHO) It's
probably just stress. Dr. Otis, I need
you to come with me. Oh, Gail. You just tell him--
- No, no, no. I need you to come with me. I need you to tell him. You tell everybody. Nobody believes me. OK. [concerned music] Bet you just came
from the track. Bet you're thirsty. [exhale] Yeah. Come on. Let's get something to drink. Hmm? He was easy to talk
to, that's for sure. Yeah. You're going to
get some answers. Marvin. Dr. Otis. Gail. Mm-hmm? Well, Gail, your
thyroid's out of whack. [laughs] What does that mean? Well, the thyroid's a gland. It's located right
about-- right about here. And it secretes
hormones that control your metabolism,
your nervous system, and the action of your muscles. At least, that's what
it's supposed to do. But yours is not
working very well. That's also why your
weight goes up and down. I knew I wasn't crazy. I knew there was something
wrong all the time. Well, you're definitely
not imagining things, Gail. GAIL DEVERS: That's
good to hear. Grave's disease is very real. How serious is it? You see, your thyroid is twice
the size that it should be. GAIL DEVERS: So? And we need to get it
back down to normal size. Well, how are you
going to do that? Well, to be honest-- GAIL DEVERS: Please? I'm going to need some
time before I can advise you on the best treatment. Treatment? So there's a cure? Doctor, there is a
cure, isn't there? What are you telling me? No cure. Gail? Gail, where have you been? I was just getting ready to
start calling around for you. There's no cure, RJ. Nothing. For the rest of my
life, I'm just going-- Maybe they're wrong again. No. No, not this time. Come on, baby, let's go. Come on. Everything's going
to be just fine. Yeah. Come on.
[upbeat music] He just comes in. Read it and weep. FRIEND 1: Wow. [animated chatter] This is what you got, James. James, James, don't look
at them till you have to. Snap with a 24 shot clock. [animated chatter] Hold on. ALL: 3, 2-- Time out! [laughter] [phone ringing] FRIEND 2: No, that
ain't nothing, man. Yeah, he is.
Hold on. Bobby.
Bobby. Huh? It's Dr. Otis. Oh, excuse me. Yeah, doc. Sorry. What? All right. Thank you. What she want? Gail's not doing too well. Yeah, well, you
already knew that. Got to get back
to the game, baby. Gail's not doing too well. She's worse than we thought. Oh, no. Poor RJ. You guys go ahead. I'll be right back. She going to be all right? Excuse me. [dialing] GAIL'S VOICEMAIL:
Leave a message and we'll call you back. [beep] Gail? It's Bobby. Pick up. Gail? All right. This is Bobby. Call me when you get
this message, all right? [ominous note] [deep sigh] We got
each other, baby. No more heartbreak about
running after the gold. We can settle down
and be normal. Have a family. Just be together. GAIL DEVERS: When will
I be able to run again? Well, you may be able
to run again someday. When? Well, I'm recommending
radiation therapy to shrink your thyroid,
Gail, and I expect very good results from that. But the side effects can
be very uncomfortable. [ominous note] Now, the beta blockers will help
your body through all of that. They'll protect you. But Gail, you've got to
understand one thing. What? This whole treatment is
going to slow you down. It'll be a very
long time before-- before you have the
energy to run again. [ominous music] BOB KERSEE: Hey, hey, Gail. Hold up. We've been worried
about you, you know? Dr. Otis called me and she-- she told me about your illness. So it took Otis
to convince you. Oh, come on. I knew there was
something wrong, but I just couldn't
put my finger on it. I did try to call you. Hey, hey, you're
going to beat this. You might even run again. You don't know anything
about my business, Bobby. Hey, Gail, You'll hang tough. Gail, let's go! I parked in the red. Here's my ride. RJ HAMPTON: You all right? It's cool. Come on, let's go. [dialing] [phone ringing] OPERATOR: You have
reached the International Athletic Medical Hotline. The following are
a list of drugs banned by current guidelines-- all steroids, corticosterone,
erythropoietin, and somatotropin are also
included in this group. All beta blockers
are also banned. If the use of any
banned drug is detected, the offender is subject to due
process and possible expulsion from the game for
two years to life. [concerned rhythmic music] [heavy sigh] [sniffle] [vomiting] [ominous note] [trouble music] Gail? RJ? What are you doing? You sick? - Give me some privacy please.
- Are you sick? Give me some privacy. Gail, not one. Not one.
You haven't taken one-- - Leave me--
- I'm not going to sit here-- Go away-- No, you're killing yourself! You're fucking killing me! I'm not taking it anymore!
- RJ, please! You're going to
take these pills! You don't understand! I do understand! And I know right now,
you got to stop, girl! You got to stop! I'm not taking
this shit no more! I'm not taking it, Gail! [ominous music] [door opens] [door slams] [distant thunder rolling] Not taking this shit. Tell her to take this
medication, please. She's hurting. You know, she's not
taking this medication because she believes you want
her to go back to the Games. I didn't tell her that. RJ HAMPTON: Doesn't matter. You and I both know Gail is
never going to run again. So even if the beta blockers
are banned by the committee, she'll never be tested because
her running career is over. Look, you are her husband. You tell her to take them.
- No, no. You're the great Bob Kersee. Mr. Guru.
- Yeah, that's right. That's why she'll listen to
you before she listens to me! She always has! She hasn't done
that in a long time, and you know when that stopped. She can't sleep. Her hair is falling out. Her legs bleed, her face
peels, so would you please tell her to take the beta blockers. I don't know. I'll think about it, OK? I'll think about it. [door slams] [ominous music] HOSPITAL STAFF:
Dr. Bailey, please report to radiation therapy. Dr. Bailey, to
radiation therapy. Hey, hey. Hey. How's it going? All right. Pain's not as bad as they say. Good. And the radiation
will be over soon. How soon? Soon enough. Oh. Soon enough for Barcelona. I don't think we
should be worried about Barcelona right now. This grass needs
to be watered. You're thinking I should
take that medicine, huh? Maybe. [laughs] You
can't even say it. Bob Kersee never just
thinks maybe about anything. You really don't want me
to take that medicine. - I can't tell you--
- See? You can't do it. You can't tell me to
give up any hope I have of ever going to the Games.
- Gail, listen. Please. Tell me to take
them and I will. Well, look.
I can't tell you-- I lied about the pain. It's bad. It's real bad. Tell me to take them. Gail. I get night sweats. My headache's so bad, I'm
afraid I'm going to die, and then I'm afraid I'm-- I'm afraid I'm not going to die.
- Gail-- Tell me to take them, Bobby. Please, Gail. Should I take them? What are you doing? Just say yes and I will. Gail, wait, wait. Come on. - No, Gail-- hey!
- Why not? Then hand it to me. What are you doing? Tell Jackie I said hi. Gail! [concerned horn music] Damn. DOCTOR 1: Do you
have the EKG reading? DOCTOR 2: Yes, I do. [ominous music] [exaggerated door creak] [door slam] [echoing footsteps] [loud door slams] [loud camera clicks] [echoing laughter] GIRL: Mommy! Here I come! [laughter continues] I need to catch you! Leave me alone! [footsteps] [sighs] [ominous notes] [birds chirping] RADIO ANNOUNCER: It's a
beautiful day in Los Angeles. Rise and shine, and "I Want
Jesus To Walk With Me." (SINGING) I want
Jesus to walk with me. [laughter] I want Jesus to walk with me. [door bell ring] All along this tedious journey. Yes, I need you, Jesus-- Here's my baby. Hi. I'm so glad you came. Look who's here, everybody! ALL: Hi, Gail. How y'all doing? Um, Papa's in the den, huh? Oh, yeah. Yes. (SINGING) He's my friend. Hey, Papa. Hi, sweetie. Hiya, baby. Happy birthday. Thank you. - This is for you.
- Oh! Whoa! What is this? Open it and see. OK. I'm thirsty. I'm going to get
something to drink. All right. (SINGING) Be my friend. Excuse me. [distant chatter] [birds chirping] When is RJ coming, baby? I don't know. You don't know
when he's coming? Papa, I don't even
know where he's at. I haven't for over
a week or more. I don't understand. Where would RJ be? I don't know, Papa. He stopped leaving me
notes a long time ago. Well, I don't understand. Now, what did you two have? A fight or something? What is all this about? Huh? Look at me. What do you mean? Look at me. Well, honey, that's-- Well, sweetheart-- Would y'all just look at me? REVEREND DEVERS: Sweetheart,
that's going to go away! MRS. DEVERS: Yes. Can somebody help me please! REVEREND DEVERS: Come on. We're here to help you. Be patient. [crying] Sweetheart, I've always told
you, God will find a way-- Oh, please, Papa! I don't know any more prayers! Gail, don't you talk
that way in this house. Why does God hate me? God does not hate you! Then why doesn't he help me? REVEREND DEVERS: Oh. Oh, sweetheart, do you-- Come stay with us. Come home with us. Come on. Stay here. Did he leave you? You come here and stay with us. - You should be with us.
- I can't do that! I can't stay! I want to take care of you. You shouldn't be alone, Gail! You can't-- I'm going after her. No, no, no, no.
Let her go. Let her go.
MRS. DEVERS: Let her go? She wants to be alone. [murmurs] That's our baby. She needs us. I know that. There's nothing we
can do about it now. It's in Gods hands. It's God's hands, God's will. God! God. God. When are you going to
see that it was Gail's will to run all those hurdles? Gail's will to break through
all those finishing tapes. Wasn't Gail's will
there somewhere? (SINGING) Don't
leave me alone, Lord. When are you going to get
Gail credit for what she's done? When are you going to stop
putting God in your place? (SINGING) Walking
up and down this-- Without a mother, Lord. I need you, Jesus,
every day of my life. Don't leave me alone. [phone ringing] [ominous notes] [loud door slam] Maybe she just wants
to be by herself, Bobby. [doorbell rings] She's not home. Her car is still here. Well, then, she
doesn't want to see us. Bobby, what-- I'm going in. Come on.
Come on. Jeez. Hey, Gail! Hey, girl! Yo! It's Jackie and Bobby! [ominous music] [knocking] Gail? Why are all these
mirrors covered? I don't know. BOB KERSEE: This is strange. I told you. I told you she wasn't here. You want me to leave a note? Well, we'll call
her next time. Next time, she better answer. [quietly crying] MALE TV ANNOUNCER: Let's
take a look at highlights from today's championships. [chatter on tv] MALE TV ANNOUNCER: Yes,
I would, and certainly-- [tv chatter] FEMALE TV ANNOUNCER:
Nothing like a-- [tv chatter] MALE TV ANNOUNCER:
OK, now here's-- She's the favorite-- Let's see a replay
of her win earlier today in the 200 meters. [tv chatter] MALE TV ANNOUNCER: This 100
meter relay today is not going to be a cakewalk for her. The Jamaican team,
in particular, is-- FEMALE TV ANNOUNCER: Yes, right. [chatter on tv] --are excellent athletes. [tv chatter] MALE TV ANNOUNCER:
And they're off! FEMALE TV ANNOUNCER: And
that's a superb start-- MALE TV ANNOUNCER:
--is running hard. FEMALE TV ANNOUNCER:
--coming away. She's going to win! [applause on tv] MALE TV ANNOUNCER:
--by a body length. FEMALE TV ANNOUNCER:
Oh, that's a superb-- FEMALE TV ANNOUNCER: RJ HAMPTON: Gail? Gail? What the hell happened here? Gail? Gail? Gail? Oh, Gail. Baby, wake up. What have you done? Oh, my God. Oh, no. Gail, wake up. Please, wake up. Gail. Come on, baby. [trouble music] [heart beat] [phone ringing] Nurse, have you heard
anything from the doctor yet? HOSPITAL STAFF:
Paging Dr. Barnett. Dr. Barnett, pick up-- Nothing, huh? REVEREND DEVERS: There's RJ now. MRS. DEVERS: RJ, where is she? I found her at the house. I didn't-- You didn't find
her, you left her! No, no, no, no.
I-- RJ, don't you stand
there and tell me you tried to do anything. You abandoned my daughter,
that's what you did. I did not-- REVEREND DEVERS: You abandoned
her when she needed you most. I tried to, but
she cut me out! REVEREND DEVERS: You did? She didn't want me! REVEREND DEVERS:
Well, that's not true. I told her to take
that medication, and-- REVEREND DEVERS: Where is she?
- I don't-- Where is she? What room is she in? I can't do this. I'm out of here. You won't listen to
me, you handle it! Where's Dr. Ginsburg? NURSE: He must be-- Here he is. How is Gail? Where is she? Well, Mrs. Devers, Reverend,
Gail's been hemorrhaging a lot. I'm going to see her. Wait, wait, wait. Hemorrhaging from what? DR. GINSBURG: It's a side
effect due to the high radiation toxicity level. Gail's going to
recover from this, and there'll be no more
radiation treatments. Oh, thank God. But the damage to
her feet is critical. How critical? Not taking the beta blockers-- Wait a minute, Doctor. What are you talking
about, beta blockers? I'm sorry. I gave her some medicine that
she was supposed to take that would help her
through this period, and for some reason she didn't. It's compromised
her immune system, it's left her
vulnerable to infection. Doctor, please? DR. GINSBURG: Worst case? REVEREND DEVERS: Yes. She might have to
have her feet amputated. REVEREND DEVERS: Oh, my God. I'm sorry. Oh, no. No. Can't be. Can we go see her? Why don't you look after
each other, Reverend, and I'll come and get
you when it's time. I'm sorry. Now, sweetheart. No, no, no, no, no. I need you to be strong, OK? [ominous music] [electric shock] [dramatic drips] BOB KERSEE: How is she? REVEREND DEVERS: Um,
I mean, we don't know. We're still waiting to hear. BOB KERSEE: What happened? REVEREND DEVERS:
Bobby, she is so sick, she may never walk again. Never walk? Yeah. Dr. Ginsburg said that he-- I mean, she hadn't been
taking some medication he prescribed for her. [sigh] Yeah, RJ mentioned
that a few weeks ago. So you knew? Well, I visited with her
and we talked about it. Bobby, are you telling
me that you never told her to take that medication? No. She said she knew
what she wanted. Well, I'm just
a little confused. For six years now, she's
done everything you've said. Reverend Devers, on a track
and in the gym, I'm God. She does what I tell her to do. But this came from inside Gail. Said she knew what she wanted. There was nothing I could say. If something happens to
Gail, it'll kill her mother. We just have to have
faith that everything's going to be all right. Do you believe in God, Bobby? I believe in Gail. I believe you do. I believe you do. Can I go see her? Please. [concerned music] Bobby? Hey. Bobby, they want
to take my feet? No talking. Just relax and take it easy. You go out there and you tell
them they can't have my feet. OK. I should have
taken that medicine. What's that? What's what? What do you see? You mean the wall? Is that what you see? A wall? Mm-hmm. Because that's not what I see. Because I'm looking through it. Past the-- No. GAIL DEVERS: --parking lot,
the road and the houses, to the track. And I'm not just
walking, I'm running. Look at me. Bobby, you said-- you said
the race I'm going to run is out there waiting
to be claimed. Well, I'm claiming it. Right here, right now. I'm already running that race. Can you see me? Can you see me, Bobby? I see you. You know something? First time I've been able
to see through one of them damn things. [laughs] I'll see you on the other side. Yeah. [concerned string music] [cheers on tv] Please, God. Give her some strength. [gunshot on tv] [cheers on tv] [quietly crying] Help me still hear Your voice. [rewinding tape] [tv static] [soft music] MRS. DEVERS: Home, sweet, home. Let's go. Yeah. You see Mrs. Johnson-- [soft victorious music] [chatter] [laughter] Which keys? I can't see without
my glasses, baby. [soft chatter] Here we go. [laughs] It's time we made
that peach pie. [soft chatter] And a clean
kitchen to eat it in. OK. [laughs] [seagulls cawing] [soft sad music] [soft uplifting music] Hey, hey! GAIL DEVERS: Hey, Bobby! I'm in here. Oh! Those are beautiful! Who are they for? You. [laughs] Thank you. Hey, where is everybody? Called them all up,
told them not to come. Oh, yeah? I don't want a party. Being alive's enough. Well, you got that right. [laughter] Listen, Gail, I'm
real sorry about RJ. RJ had a right to run. I've been running from
him for long enough. Would you like some iced tea? Yeah. I made some for you special. [soft sweet music] Bobby, I'm going to be fine. I'm going to live with this
for the rest of my life. But the medicine's going
to keep it under control. Keep me from having a relapse. Bobby? BOB KERSEE: Yeah. GAIL DEVERS: I want
to go to Barcelona. No problem. Get you box seats. Trackside. Where's the sugar? [soft uplifting music] Bobby, I want to
run in Barcelona. I'm going to the Games. Are you sure? I'm sure. Well, you know, uh, Barcelona
is only 18 months away. The trial is more
than a year away. Mm-hmm. I know. Are you sure you know? Remember when I told
you about my star? I said God took it away. Yeah. Well, I'm taking it back. It's mine and I want it. But what about your feet? Oh, like you say,
Bobby, what do my feet have to do with running? Nothing more
than flesh on bone. Just flesh on bone. [grunts] [heavy breathing] Bobby, I-- I can't. Sure you can.
Come on, try. No, Bobby. I thought I could--
- OK. OK. --but I can't. [quietly crying] You know what I
was thinking about? I remember the first
time I ever saw you race. It was high school, 1984. Mm-hmm? Boy, you were something. You ran just like a gazelle. You was fast and furious, boy. You won that first race by
I think about three inches. You must have run 600 miles
[laughs] in preparation for that race. All right? But three inches? Here. Can you give me about
three inches there? This is about three inches. Here. Come on. Let me see. Three inches. Come on. Three? You can do that. [uplifting music] Hot dog! Woo! [laughs] Then you remember
the first time you ran for me? Let's see. Right? I must've run you some
800 miles in preparation. You won that race
again by about-- I think it was four inches. Hmm? Hmm? Let's try again, sweetheart. Come on. Come on. [victory music] You just keep remembering! Barcelona! [soft chatter] Hold it. Hold it. Cross your legs. Do it again. [determined music] Do it again. Faster! Do it again? You're mad! Come on! All right. All right. [airplane flying] [grand competitor music] [cheers] ANNOUNCER 1: Next up is the
first of the preliminary heats of the Women's 100 Meters. Now, win time is due
to race the last heat, but this first heat has
the surprising presence of one young lady. I'm talking about Gail Devers. ANNOUNCER 2: You're
absolutely right. Now, ladies and
gentlemen at home, it's not a ghost you
see on the screen, but it's Gail
Devers in the flesh. She's back, she's ready to run,
but the question is, can she run against this world
class field and the presence of Gwen Torrence? Gail Devers is in lane five. The main competition this
heat will come from Cuthbert of Jamaica in lane four, and
Privalova from the Unified team in lane six. They're both excellent
runners and right on either side of her. ANNOUNCER 1: Well,
there's Gwen Torrence. ANNOUNCER 2: Uh-huh. ANNOUNCER 1: Sizing
up her competition. ANNOUNCER 2: I'd say. OFFICIANT: Lista! [gunshot] ANNOUNCER 1: Ah! Not a good start for Devers,
but it is a strong start out of the blocks for Cuthbert. Devers and Privalova
running second and third. And the top three, Cuthbert,
Devers, and Privalova moving on to the finals. [soft music] [firecrackers popping] Hmm. [anticipation music] Bobby? You know, there's something I
wanted to say before the race, you know. I want you to-- damn, I'm not good at this. I just want to tell you, Gail-- Bobby. I'll see you on the other side. Gail Devers. When I see your life in my
mind, it's on tape in my head, and I play it every day. And I rewind it, you know? And I play it again. And when I put it on
pause, I stand back in awe. Girl, you're a champion. Get going, girl. Go on. ANNOUNCER: Ladies and
gentlemen, the next event is the finals of the
Women's 100 Meter. [ominous music] [distorted announcement] [cheers] The lane assignments are
lane one, [indistinct],, Cuba. Lane two Devers, USA. Lane three, Cuthbert, Jamaica. Lane four,
[indistinct],, Jamaica. Lane five, Torres, USA. Lane six, [indistinct], Nigeria. Lane seven, Privalova,
the Unified team. And lane eight,
[indistinct],, Nigeria. [muffled cheers] [focused music] [exaggerated metal clips] OFFICIANT: Lista! [gunshot] [cheers and applause] [focused soft music] [cheers and applause] [focused soft music] [cheers and applause] [focused soft rhythmic music] [cheers and applause] SPANISH ANNOUNCER:
[speaking in spanish] ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen,
we have a photographic study. The results of the
Women's 100 Meter are, fifth place,
[indistinct],, Jamaica. Fourth place, Torres, USA. Third place, Privalova
of the Unified team. Second place,
Cuthbert of Jamaica. And first place-- [cheers] Devers, USA, with a
time of 10.82 seconds. [cheers and applause] [victory music] Yes!
Yes! Yes! Yeah! Yes! Yes! Yes! [camera clicks] [reporters chatter] BOB KERSEE: (ECHO) Do
you want to win the gold? Do-- you-- want to win the gold? Well see, what you don't know
is that you've already got it. It's out there waiting
for you to claim. You got to imagine yourself
already winning that race. Imagine yourself crossing
that finish line. First. Hmm? Baby girl! Baby girl! [laughs] You got it! You got it! You got it! I got it! [laughs] [grand victory music] [cheers] [RONNIE LAWS, "RUN FOR THE
DREAM"] (SINGING) If only a
mile is left for my-- What if a mountain to
climb is too close for-- All pain. Who remains? Sometimes a crowd won't
let us see, I follow my-- I thank you for me. You could have known I
would stand here again. I reach, reach, reach for my
star, and I hope, hope, hope, and I run for the dream. Reach, reach for my
star, and I hope, hope, I hope and I run for the dream. [vocalizing] Reach, reach, reach for
my star, and I hope, hope, I hope and I run for the dream. Reach, reach for
my star and I hope, hope, I hope and I
run for the dream. [vocalizing] I reach, reach,
reach for my star, and I hope, hope, I hope
and I run for the dream. Reach, I reach for my
star, and I hope, hope, I hope and I run for the dream. Reach, I reach for my star
and I hope, hope, I hope and I run for the dream.
