On August 16, New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin collided with American Abbey D’Agostino as they were running the first heat of the 5,000-meter race at the Rio Olympics. D’Agostino jumped up quickly, but instead of running off, she helped Hamlin to her feet and told her she had to finish the race. But D’Agostino had injured her ankle. Hamlin held back to help her make it to the finish line.
Despite finishing last and next-to last in the heat, both women were cleared to advance in the competition. However, D’Agostino had torn thee ligaments and could not race. Both Hamlin and D’Agostino were awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal. It’s a rare Olympic medal awarded for extraordinary sportsmanship, and it’s only been bestowed 17 times before, beginning in 1964. Pierre de Coubertin was the founder of the International Olympic Committee. Each of those awards has an amazing story behind it, and you can read the stories of all the winners at Metafilter.