Abbey D'Agostino, Nikki Hamblin: Top 5 Gold Medal-Worthy Displays Of Sportsmanship At The Rio Olympics
In a world where children are taught that winning is everything, there are scores of Olympic athletes trying to prove otherwise.
The 2016 Olympics invited the cream of the crop down to Rio, filling the pools, tracks, and gym floors with competitors that have shed blood, sweat, and tears to become the best of the best. Yet, even with their sights set firmly on gold, these sprints, swimmers, and gymnasts are teaching viewers that sportsmanship does still exist, both on and off the court.
Watch these class acts go above and beyond in out Top 5 moments of the Olympics.
All That Matters Is That You Finish
"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
Team USA's Abbey D'Agostino and New Zealand's Nikki Hamblin must have had this Fred Lebow quote on their minds during Tuesday's 5000m heat. When Hamblin took a spill on the track, bringing down D'Agostino in the process, the latter hauled her competitor to her feet and urged her to keep on running. When D'Agostino later crumpled due to an injured knee, it was Hamblin who doubled back to cheer her to the finish line.
Due to the fall, both athletes will advance to the finals regardless of their time.
War Means Nothing
Relationships between North Korea and South Korea have been fraught for decades, but at the Olympics, the countries' athletes not only have the chance show grace in the face of fierce competition, but they also have the opportunity to push their political difference behind.
Neither South Korea's Lee Eun-ju, 17, nor North Korea's Hong Un-jong, 27, have ever known a united Korea. Nevertheless, the two gymnasts posed for a selfie during the games.
A Win For Your Country Is Worth Celebrating