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[Dalek]

Runners Help Each Other After Fall: ‘Get up. We have to finish this.’

New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin was lying on the track, dazed after a heavy fall and with her hopes of an Olympic medal seemingly over. Suddenly, there was a hand on her shoulder and a voice in her ear: “Get up. We have to finish this.”

It was American Abbey D’Agostino, offering to help.

“I was like, “Yup, yup, you’re right. This is the Olympics Games. We have to finish this,’” Hamblin said.

It was a scene to warm the hearts of fans during a qualifying heat of the women’s 5,000 meters. Hamblin and D’Agostino set aside their own hopes of making the final to look out for a fellow competitor.

It started when D’Agostino clipped Hamblin from behind and they both went sprawling with about 2,000 meters to go.

Hamblin fell heavily on her right shoulder. D’Agostino got up, but Hamblin was just lying there. She appeared to be crying. Instead of running in pursuit of the others, D’Agostino crouched down and put her hand on the New Zealander’s shoulder, then under her arms to help her up, and softly urged her not to quit.

“That girl is the Olympic spirit right there,” Hamblin said of D’Agostino. “I’ve never met her before. Like I never met this girl before. And isn’t that just so amazing. Such an amazing woman.”

As it turned out, D’Agostino probably needed more help: She soon realized she’d hurt her ankle in the fall.

“I didn’t even realize she was still running. When I turned around at the finish line and she’s still running, I was like, wow,” Hamblin said.

She waited for her new friend to cross the line — D’Agostino had been lapped — and they hugged.

This time, it was D’Agostino who was in tears.

As D’Agostino was about to be taken away in a wheelchair, she stretched out her right hand and the two runners gripped each other’s forearms for a few moments.

Olympic officials also decided that both runners, and Austria’s Jennifer Wenth, who was also affected by the collision, would have places in Friday’s final.

“I’m never going to forget that moment,” Hamblin said. “When someone asks me what happened in Rio in 20 years’ time, that’s my story ... That girl shaking my shoulder, (saying) ‘come on, get up’.”

 

[Archer]

respect

 

[TheSeks]

Good that the committee is giving them a place in the finals.

 

[Biochet]

that was a really nice thing to read

thank you for sharing op

 

[Stinkles]

Legit verklempt.

 

[Dongs Macabre]

I remember when this happened in Cars.

Heartwarming story.

 

[Kayhan]

That is cool.

 

[Escape Goat]

Samwise to her Frodo.

 

[wesleyshark]

Sure is dusty in here.

 

[TheAbsolution]

Legit verklempt.

.
Who is cutting onions in here?

 

[Stinkles]

I remember when this happened in Cars.

Heartwarming story.

In Cars 2 Mustang stole Trucks cocaine and ran naked through town though.

 

[Jedi2016]

I remember when this happened in Cars.

Heartwarming story.

lol.. that was the first thing I thought.

"There's a lot of love out there, man..."

 

[Gritesh]

True Olympic spirit right here.

In the midst of all the other bullshit at these games it's nice to see the true spirit of the Olympics and humanity shine brightly here.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Too many mutha uckas ugging on my eart

 

[Transistor]

Not gonna lie, that actually got me a little teary eyed. Mad respect for her really showing what the Olympic spirit should be all about.

 

[neptunes]

Meh, I would have left her there

 

[Escape Goat]

Meh, I would have left her there

When youre both fucked you should at least get fucked together.

 

[Dalek]

When youre both fucked you should at least get fucked together.

Those were my wedding vows.

 

[bigred50]

Niiice

 

[Stinkles]

Niiice

I saw that edit you beastly fellow.

 

[Arc]

They were both far out so good for her.

If she was still in it then this would have been pretty dumb.

 

[bigred50]

I saw that edit you beastly fellow.

The pic didnt match the story! lol

 

[Dreams-Visions]

When youre both fucked you should at least get fucked together.

deep.

 

[frontovik]

Very sweet; a sincere sign of sportsmanship and integrity.