Chapter 97: The Edge of Exhaustion

The stadium buzzed with a palpable energy, the crowd's anticipation hanging thick in the air. It was the day of the 1500-meter semi-finals, and every seat in the Olympic Stadium was filled. Flags from every competing nation fluttered in the stands, and the murmur of thousands of voices merged into a single roar as the athletes made their way onto the track. The tension was electric—this was the race that would separate the contenders from the dreamers. Only the top runners would advance to the final, and everyone knew it.

Rohan stood at the starting line, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the pressure building, the weight of expectation pressing down on his shoulders. Around him, the other semi-finalists were going through their pre-race rituals—some bouncing lightly on their toes, others crouched low, stretching their legs and arms. Each of them wore the same expression: focused, determined, and completely absorbed in the task ahead.