Two athletes from the United States and New Zealand who competed in the 5,000-meter qualifying race for the 2016 Olympics have captured the hearts of people all over the world.
Not because they won a gold medal for their country at the prestigious sports festival, but because they demonstrated to the world what true sportsmanship looks like. Abbey D’Agostino of America and Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand both tumbled and fell on the ground during the 5,000-meter qualifying race.
Unfortunately for the two athletes, Abbey inadvertently clipped Nikki’s heel, sending both of them to the ground. Everyone understood that in a race, no second could be lost. Some people may have a negative reaction to the unfortunate situation that occurred. Instead of arguing and blaming each other for what occurred, the two athletes chose to assist one another. Abbey assisted Nikki in getting to her feet.
As it turned out, the unfortunate mishap twisted Abbey’s knee, and with her injury, she would be unable to win the race. Nikki, on the other hand, was unharmed and could still catch up with the others if she wanted to. Nikki, on the other hand, had another thought. Rather than catching up with her other competitors, the honorable athlete chose to assist the injured Abbey. Despite Abbey’s advice to continue without her, Nikki insisted on finishing the race with her new friend.
The valiant athletes finished the race in last and second-to-last place. Despite the fact that they were unable to bring the bacon home, Abbey and Nikki were content to finish the race together. In fact, they even hugged after crossing the finish line! Abbey and Nikki were unable to bring the gold medal home, but they were able to demonstrate to the world what sportsmanship is all about.
At the end of the day, while no one remembers the Olympians who won medals, Abbey and Nikki’s inspiring and heartwarming act of compassion will live on in people’s hearts. Abbey and Nikki were not the first respectable athletes in Olympic history to inspire people with their compassionate hearts. Shuhei Nishida and Sueo Oe, Pole vaulters, made history in 1932 when they did something no one had ever done before. Nishida and Oe competed for the silver medal in a jump-off.
Despite the fact that the two Japanese athletes finished at the same height, Nishida was awarded the silver medal because he had fewer misses than Oe. Nishida and Oe, on the other hand, believe they should have the same standing. As a result, the two Japanese athletes cut their medals in half and created two new medals. They both have what they call “friendship medals” made of half silver and half bronze medals.
Another honorable athlete made her mark in Olympic fencing history when she chose to stick to her principles and be honest over winning the gold medal. Judy Guinness of the United Kingdom was set to win the gold medal in the individual foil match against Ellen Preis of Austria. However, Judy called the judges’ attention to the fact that they had failed to award two points to Ellen’s successful touches.
Because of her candor, Ellen was awarded the gold medal, while Judy was awarded a silver medal! British fencer Guinness was in a position to win the individual foil gold medal match against Austria’s Ellen Preis. Guinness, on the other hand, informed the judges that they had failed to award two points for successful touches to Preis, and the change in scoring reversed the final result, awarding Preis gold and Guinness silver.
Compassion triumphs over all differences, regardless of race, country, skin color, or language spoken! Watch the moving video below to be reminded that no Olympic medal is more important than being the embodiment of kindness and compassion!