This Year’s Most Inspiring Fall
As American runner Abbey D'Agostino was rounding the track during her qualifying heat of the women's 5000-meter race this summer in Rio she was in good position to qualify for the finals, and a chance at Olympic glory. But with 2,000 meters to go she clipped the heel of New Zealander Nikki Hamblin, and both runners were sent sprawling in the track. That's when D'Agostino did something amazing. Instead of taking off after the others who were rapidly speeding away, she bent over Hamblin, helped her up, and told her they had to finish the race. As they started forward together it quickly became evident that D'Agostino was injured (it was later diagnosed that she had wrecked her right knee) when she fell to the ground feet from where they first collided. That's when Hamblin returned the favor helping her back up. The two finished the race in 29th and 30th positions with D'Agostino visibly struggling the whole way. At the finish line Hamblin was there to help her to a wheelchair. The two runners were recognized with special medals given by the International Fair Play Committee.
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