Commonwealth Games’ unseen moment: Aussie athletes’ act of pure class
Australia’s long-distance track stars might not have won any medals in the 10,000 metre final last night, but they delivered a moment of pure class that will long be remembered as one of the highlights of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
This is what it's all about.
The Aussies wait until the last competitor has crossed the line in the 10,000m before leaving the track. All class. #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/Bb8XVorxsf— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 9, 2018
Celia Sullohern, Madeline Hills and Eloise Wellings had all completed their race minutes earlier, but instead of leaving the track like competitors from other nations, the Aussie stars waited at the line for the last runner to finish.
Lineo Chaka, representing the southern African nation of Lesotho, ran the last few laps on her own, but was greeted by the Aussie runners in a touching act of sportsmanship.
"We're there for each other and we're out there having a go," Sullohern told ABC News.
Hills sympathised with Chaka, explaining long distance runners face similar challenges.
"All of us just went out there hoping to do the best we could on the day, and sometimes that's 31 minutes and sometimes that's 35 minutes," Hills said.
"I'd like to think if I had that day there would be someone standing on the track for me."
Did you see this touching act of sportsmanship? Have you been enjoying the Commonwealth Games? Let us know in the comments section below.
Hero image credit: Twitter / Emily Benammar