'Olympic spirit' illustrated by Nikki Hamblin, Abbe D'Agostino after fall on track
"An outstanding act of sportsmanship between two track and field athletes, described as illustrating the "Olympic spirit", has brought the crowd to its feet at the main stadium in Rio.
"New Zealand's Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D'Agostino of the US both advanced to the women's 5,000 metres final, but in dramatic and emotional circumstances, after they were involved in a fall late in the second heat on Tuesday (Rio time) when both athletes crashed to the track.
"In an act which conjured up memories of John Landy helping the fallen Ron Clarke back on his feet at Melbourne's Olympic Park in 1956, D'Agostino assisted Hamblin up off the track but the American was injured as a result of the fall.
"Hamblin gave up any chance of chasing the main pack, which included Australians Eloise Wellings and Genevieve LaCaze, and instead waited until the hobbling D'Agostino could continue the race, as the sparse crowd at the Olympic Stadium rose to their feet and applauded."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-17/olympic-spirit-displayed-after-fall-on-track-in-rio/7749930
Olympic sports are too often toxic, with cheating rife, so it's very heartening to read a story like this.
And both girls will progress to the finals after all, so I wish them both well.
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