Rio Olympics 2016: Inspirational athlete helps rival reach finish line despite injury

But what Abbey D’Agostino did Tuesday during the women’s 5,000 meter event required something more than muscle or skill.

The 24-year-old D’Agostino was quickly back on her feet, yet instead of carrying on with her race she stopped to help the stricken Hamblin to her feet.

“I feel grateful that Nikki and I were used as sort of an instrument to share that message that like, yeah we train for hours and hours, but this is really special and we are all united in celebrating the spirit of the Olympics and the spirit of humanity”. They hugged each other after the race had concluded and Hamblin helped D’Agostino into a wheelchair. That girl shaking my shoulder, saying “come on, get up'”. D’Agostino urged her to get up, telling her that this was the Olympics and they had to finish. I’ve never met her before.

This time it was Hamblin’s turn to lend her strength and encourage her rival to keep on.

She and New Zealander Nikki Hamblin, whom she helped up after both tripped in the race, were advanced to the final by race officials.

Despite both athletes showing obvious signs of discomfort, they managed to finish the race, albeit well behind their fellow competitors.

D’Agostino gained a spot in the final on protest. Though it’s unclear if D’Agostino’s knee will allow her to compete, both runners have already done more to inspire us than any medal ever could.

The 5,000-meter runner whose act of friendship captured the Olympic spirit will not return to the track in Rio after tearing ligaments in her knee. “When someone asks me what happened in Rio in 20 years” time, that’s my story. “Then suddenly, there’s this hand on my shoulder [and D’Agostino saying], ‘Get up, get up, we have to finish this.’ And I’m like, ‘Yup, yup, you’re right. Such an fantastic woman”, Hamblin said in a later interview. I can’t even put into words how unbelievable it is that she actually finished. As the two girls continued the race, Abbey realized that her ankle wasn’t in good shape and had to stop before finishing – and this time, it was Nikki encouraging Abbey to power through.

Her coach Make Coogan told USA Today Sports, “She did pretty much the opposite of what I told her”.

“A miracle”, she said.

No matter how the final goes, Hamblin said her Olympic experience is one she will never forget.