The International Olympic Committee awarded two runners a rare medal for embodying the Olympic spirit during the 5,000 meter race.
Video shows New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin trip and fall on the track during the race last week. American runner Abbey D'Agostino was right behind her and also fell.
Instead of leaving the other behind, the women helped each other up and made sure they crossed the finish line.
Hamblin laid on the track motionless after the fall, but D’Agostino pushed herself up, and turned to Hamblin.
"Get up! Get up! We have to finish!" D'Agostino told Hamblin as she lay on the track, according to ESPN. "This is the Olympic Games! We have to finish this."
Once Hamblin was back on her feet, the two women continued the race. The two were dead last in the race, but determined to finish.
D’Agostino placed last and Hamblin finished next to last. After crossing the finish line, the two runners embraced.
“I’m so grateful for Abbey doing that,” Hamblin told reporters after the race. “That girl is the Olympic spirit right there.”
The ICO couldn't agree more. They awarded the two women the Pierre de Coubertin medal for their demonstration of the Olympic spirit. According to the Telegraph, the medal has only been given out 17 times in Olympic history.
“Winning this award is overwhelming,” said Hamblin. “I am proud that what we did and truly believe that you can be both a competitor and kind and responsive at the same time.
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