Olympics

Watch: New England Olympian Abbey D’Agostino embodies spirit of sportsmanship

The Topsfield native didn't get the result she was hoping for, but represented her home in the next best way.

By Ryan Hathaway

1 minute to read

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 16: Abbey D'Agostino of the United States (R) is assisted by Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand after a collision during the Women's 5000m Round 1 - Heat 2 on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Abbey D’Agostino of the United States is assisted by Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand.

Team USA track & field competitor and New England’s own Abbey D’Agostino didn’t win the 5,000 meter event, but she channeled the spirit of the Games in a way that will undoubtedly make her whole country proud.

The distance runner from Topsfield, Mass. displayed a tremendous show of sportsmanship after a dangerous collision occurred during the event.

New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin appeared to trip during the race and stumbled to the ground, taking the trailing D’Agostino down with her. But as Hamblin lay on the ground, D’Agostino took it upon herself to make the most of the heartbreaking situation, helping the tearful Hamblin to her feet before pressing forward to finish the race.

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“Come on, get up,” D’Agostino told Hamblin. “We have to finish this race.”

The moment was a perfect embodiment of the Olympic Creed uttered by IOC founder Pierre de Coubertin: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.”

Perhaps what goes around truly does come back around, as both D’Agostino and Hamblin were advanced to the final because they were not at fault for falling.

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Upon finishing the race, an exasperated D’Agostino put her hands on her hips and appeared to laugh, before finding Hamblin for an embrace. D’Agostino may be the most decorated Ivy League track & field athlete, but this showing may go down as the shining moment in an amazing career.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 16: Abbey D'Agostino of the United States (L) talks with Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand after the Women's 5000m Round 1 - Heat 2 on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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