D'Agostino Honored With IOC Sportsmanship Award

Story and photo courtesy of Dartmouth Varsity Athletics Communications

RIO DE JANEIRO – “The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” - Pierre de Coubertin, father of the modern Olympic Games.

Few moments encapsulate de Coubertin’s famous words better than what the world saw in the opening round of the women’s 5,000m last week with the former Dartmouth All-American and national champion Abbey D’Agostino.

D’Agostino was tripped up with roughly five laps to go when Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand fell in front of her. Hamblin lay on the track for a few moments, likely knowing her Olympic dream of competing for a medal was gone as the pack moved on.

However, D’Agostino returned to her feet, stood over Hamblin and encouraged her to get up and finish the race, regardless of the outcome. After the two began running again, it was clear that D’Agostino had suffered a serious injury in the fall as she stopped and sat on the track in pain. This time, it was Hamblin who stood over D’Agostino and encouraged her competitor to finish.Though both would finish last, their embrace at the finish line and show of compassion and support for competing nations resonated with millions across the world.

For their actions, both Hamblin and D’Agostino were awarded with Fair Play Awards from the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) along with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at Rio’s Olympic Park on Saturday, the eve of the Games’ Closing Ceremonies.The most decorated student-athlete in the history of the Ivy League with seven national championships, D’Agostino was making her Olympic debut in the race after running professionally the last two years with New Balance based in Boston.

The IOC characterized the actions of both D’Agostino and Hamblin as “two separate acts of selflessness and exemplary sportsmanship."