On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS September 12, 2016 #610 Up next…True Meaning of Sports!
After further review…A recent TunneySide extolled the virtues of the Special Olympic Games. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a judge, as well as an award presenter to these courageous special athletes. What is “special” about them not only is the overcoming of their physical, mental or emotional challenges, but their outward display of love and sportsmanship for their fellow competitors.
If you know the physical makeup of Down’s Syndrome, you are familiar with their short legs, larger head and a smile, always a smile on their faces. At one of these summer games, I witnessed sportsmanship at its finest. A young Down’s Syndrome competitor, was leading the others in the 400-meter run, when nearing the finish line, he tripped and fell. The other six competitors seeing this, stopped and picked him up, and then proceeded – together –across the finish line. A gesture of sportsmanship that’s often missing in many sporting events. Or is it?
One of those epic moments happened in one of the heats in the Women’s 5000-meter run, during the recent XXXIst Olympiad. With 4-1/2 laps of the 12-1/2 lap race remaining, U.S. runner Abbey D’Agostino fell while running mid-pack and clipped the feet of New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin, causing both to tumble spectacularly on the track. As Hamblin laid there on the ground somewhat dazed, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was her rival, D’Agostino, who said, “Come on get up. We have to finish the race.”
Until that moment, those two had never met, nor spoken to each other. As D’Agostino started to help Hamblin up, her knee buckled. Seeing this, Hamblin returned the favor giving physical support to D’Agostino. They both continued at their own speed to finish the race. Hamblin’s time, 16:43:16, and D’Agostino’s, 17:10:02 — far beyond their normal. Because they were not at fault for the fall, both were advanced through to the finals three days later. D’Agostino was not physically able to run in that final. Hamblin did, but did not medal. Both certainly will remember this Olympiad and, hopefully, so will you; not for the medal count, but for sportsmanship!
This is how sports should be. Competition is important and can be entertaining, but humanity out weights them both!
Will you compete with all your strength and will, but with sportsmanship first and foremost?
To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
Jim’ books and video tapes are full of ideas and suggestions about sportsmanship and competition. Available at the above email. These TunneySide’s take issues from the sports world and transforms them into positive messages for better living. Thank You!
