In a show of true sportsmanship, American distance runner Abbey D’Agnostino helped a fellow competitor up off the track after the two got tangled and fell to the track.
A little over halfway through second heat of the women’s 5,000m qualifiers, D’Agnostino clipped New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin from behind, sending both runners tumbling to the ground.
D’Agnostino was able to get to her feet first. But instead of running off to re-join the pack, she made sure to help an injured Hamblin to her feet.
After colliding, @abbey_dags (#USA) & @NikkiHamblin (#NZL) show true #Olympic spirit. https://t.co/LJf9pvPIbV https://t.co/HTfixzxCVS
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 16, 2016
"I've never met this girl before," Hamblin said, according to the New York Daily News. "That's an amazing moment. Regardless of the race and the result on the board, that's a moment that you're never, ever going to forget."
D’Agnostino finished the race despite an ankle injury, finishing in 30th place. Hamblin finished in 29th.
The two shared a hug at the finish line, and a handshake before D’Agnostino was taken off the track in a wheelchair.
Both racers were added to the women’s 5,000m finals on Saturday.
ATTA BOY ROBBY!! @RA_Andrews comes through third in 3:46.97. Auto Q to the semi! #Rio2016
— USATF (@usatf) August 16, 2016
D’Agnostino was a four-time NCAA national champion Dartmouth in the women's 5,000m, and a seven-time national champion overall.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
