Runners Abbey D’Agostino, Nikki Hamblin show epic levels of sportsmanship after fall in 5000m heats

AMERICAN distance runner Abbey D’Agostino will not leave Rio with a medal, but she did deliver one of the most inspiring moments of the Olympic Games.

Abbey D'Agostino of the United States (R) is assisted by Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand.

AMERICAN distance runner Abbey D’Agostino will not leave Rio de Janeiro with a medal, but she did deliver one of the most inspiring moments of the Olympic Games.

D’Agostino, running in the second semi-final heat of the women’s 5,000m, was running right behind New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin on the inside of the track when Hamblin stumbled and fell. With nowhere to go, D’Agostino ran into the back of Hamblin and appeared to twist her ankle.

Hamblin was distraught, but both runners checked to see that the other could continue.

Nikki Hamblin notices that Abbey D'Agostino is down after a fall during the women's 5000m heats.

She then goes to her aid.

D’Agostino was in obvious pain and collapsed a few meters after trying to run.

With more than a mile left to go, D’Agostino managed to get back to her feet and completed the rest of her laps at a slow pace, finishing in 17:10.02 — more than two minutes behind heat winner Almaz Ayana.

Waiting at the finish line was Hamblin, and the two runners shared an emotional hug.

The hug at the finish line.

D’Agostino was then taken away in a wheelchair, but still managed a smile.

Abbey D'Agostino can still smile as she’s assisted off the track.

Abbey D'Agostino, left, and Nikki Hamblin share a special moment.

The perfect Olympic moment blew up on Twitter.

Hamblin & D'Agostino. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/Bg7QE0aCFb

— William-Alex Proust (@W_A_Proust) August 16, 2016

What sportsmanship from Abbey D'Agostino and New Zealand's Nikki Hamblin, helping each other after 5000m heats fall. pic.twitter.com/71dYWd8FBc

— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) August 16, 2016

American Abby D'Agostino suffers injury in fall, refuses to quit 5,000m race https://t.co/oQWJDc7VKJ pic.twitter.com/ieETWeDeZ3

— Pradosh Ganforth (@qoqacybikyzo) August 16, 2016

My #StepUpStandTall moment of the day is Abby D'Agostino getting up & finishing the 5000m & Hamelin for the hug/helping her up

— April Boultbee (@AprilBoultbee) August 16, 2016

Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D'agostino, post-race. Hamblin fell, @abbey_dags went down. They finished the 5K. (AFP) pic.twitter.com/nn0ONU9fhe

— Joe Fleming (@ByJoeFleming) August 16, 2016

Olympic spirit at its best. D'Agostino of #USA and Hamblin of #NZL help each other after fall in women's 5,000m heat pic.twitter.com/1I10tMTWqO

— Ben Scott (@BScott_SportSci) August 16, 2016

The epitome of determination, class, and sportsmanship from Abbey D'Agostino, way to represent your state and country with great pride!

— Caitlin Clary (@Caitlinc13) August 16, 2016

Congrats to Miss D'Agostino, what a good spirit! #Rio2016

— Anton Robertson (@antonroby) August 16, 2016

Abbey D'Agostino... Wow! Just wow! So proud to have @abbey_dags representing the USA! 🇺🇸 So much heart. 💙❤️ #Rio2016 #Tokyo2020

— Mary04609 (@Mary04609) August 16, 2016

Abbey D'Agostino is such an inspiration

— Ashley Wallace (@ashleyxwallacee) August 16, 2016

@abbey_dags
abbey d'agostino ... Take a bow. Grit and determination personified. You are a hero for me in this Olympics. Already a winner.

— Antonio Rossi (@Quizader) August 16, 2016

Wonderful moment of sportsmanship from Kiwi Nikki Hamblin, who tripped up and then waited for American Abbey D'Agostino during 5000m heat

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) August 16, 2016

@NikkiHamblin and Abby D'Agostino should both be very proud of themselves there. True Olympic spirit.

— Matt Barnes (@barnesy5k) August 16, 2016

The very Olympic Spirit of Sportsmanship Nikki Hamblin helping Abbey D'Agostino. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/U4LqCNQoZX

— Rio Olympics 2016 (@iamnishanta) August 16, 2016

D'Agostino & Hamblin fell during the 5000m race. Helped each other up along the way & finished the race. #Olympics #sportsmanship

— Christina DiPietro (@cmdipietro) August 16, 2016

D'Agostino and Hamblin aren't names that will feature in a final or a podium but they will always be what the Olympics are about. #Rio2016

— Kunaal Majgaonkar (@shkaboom) August 16, 2016

Horrible for Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D'Agostino in the 5000m heat there. Huge credit to both for finishing. #Athletics #Olympics #Rio2016

— Gerard (@GerardGrimes11) August 16, 2016

D'Agostino crosses the finish line, says "praise God" & embraces Hamblin. Both wounded physically, but showing amazing spirit. #Rio2016

— Jason Tan (@JSLTan) August 16, 2016

DAgostino and Hamblin. You girls ROCK! #Rio2016 #Athletics pic.twitter.com/RVmmFnsmIt

— Nay (@SoSaysRenee) August 16, 2016

Basically don't care about who wins anything at the moment, too full of Hamblin and D'Agostino love #rio2016

— Ms D (@msdwrites) August 16, 2016

This article originally appeared on Fox Sports US