It seems good news does sometimes travel slowly, because today we have been inspired by an act of sportsmanship that we came across from last year.
Spanish runner Iván Fernández Anaya, a 24 year old long distance runner, trailed Olympic bronze medallist Abel Mutai of Kenya during an event in December 2012.
Mutai mistakenly slowed down near the finish line, because he believed it had already finished, when in fact he was meters from the tape.
Anaya, who was never in contention for first place in the cross-country competition, refused to take advantage of his competitors misadventure. Realizing the error, Anaya approached Mutai from behind and pointed him in the direction of the finish line.
“I didn’t deserve to win it,” Anaya, 24, told El Pais. “I did what I had to do. He was the rightful winner. He created a gap that I couldn’t have closed if he hadn’t made a mistake.”
Spanish runner Iván Fernández Anaya, a 24 year old long distance runner, trailed Olympic bronze medallist Abel Mutai of Kenya during an event in December 2012.
Mutai mistakenly slowed down near the finish line, because he believed it had already finished, when in fact he was meters from the tape.
Anaya, who was never in contention for first place in the cross-country competition, refused to take advantage of his competitors misadventure. Realizing the error, Anaya approached Mutai from behind and pointed him in the direction of the finish line.
“I didn’t deserve to win it,” Anaya, 24, told El Pais. “I did what I had to do. He was the rightful winner. He created a gap that I couldn’t have closed if he hadn’t made a mistake.”
Abel Mutai. Mutai, who was a bronze medal winner at the London 2012 Olympics stopped just about 10 meters before the finish line, believing he had already won. Instead of taking advantage of the situation, Anaya helped Mutai, guiding him to the actual finish line and letting him take the first place.
Anaya personal trainer, the former Spanish distant runner Martin Fiz, said that Anaya showed grace that very few people would nowadays. What is more, Fiz believes this is an unprecedented sporting gesture.
Anaya said that even if he had the chance to go back, he still would have let Mutai win. His brilliant actions may not have made him a better athlete or a bigger winner, but they have surely made him a better person. And let’s be honest, aren't we all aiming to be better people?
Anaya said that even if he had the chance to go back, he still would have let Mutai win. His brilliant actions may not have made him a better athlete or a bigger winner, but they have surely made him a better person. And let’s be honest, aren't we all aiming to be better people?
No comments:
Post a Comment