Two runners from other sides of the world have received international praise for showing ‘true Olympian’ qualities, after they helped each other during the women’s 5k on Tuesday.
Nikki Hamblin, competing for New Zealand, ended up taking a hard fall during the first 3K of the run, but incredibly was helped to her feet by competitor Abbey D’Agostino.
“Get up. We have to finish this,” D’Agostino told her.
The American, who had also fallen at the same time as Nikki, was later helped by the Kiwi, who hung back to try and help her.
“She helped me first. I tried to help her. She was pretty bad,” said Hamblin after the race. She eventually had to leave her US competitor behind, but waited at the finish line where the pair shared a hug.
“That girl is the Olympic spirt right there,” said Nikki, who grew up in England, but moved to New Zealand in 2006.
The pair have since been reinstated as finalists for Friday night’s race, if they are fit enough to compete.
