Five heart-warming moments of the Paris Olympics
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(From left to right): United States' Simone Biles (silver), Brazil's Rebeca Andrade (gold) and US' Jordan Chiles (bronze) pose during the podium ceremony for the artistic gymnastics women's floor exercise .
PHOTO: AFP
SINGAPORE – Even as the competition heats up at the Paris Olympics, the quadrennial Games have also brought us stories of sportsmanship, friendship and respect among the athletes. The Straits Times looks at five heart-warming moments captured in Paris so far.
1. We are not worthy
United States gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles kneeled and performed a “we are not worthy” bow to Brazil’s gold medal winner and rival Rebecca Andrade after the artistic gymnastics women’s floor exercise event.
2. Korean diplomacy
South Korea’s bronze medallists Lim Jong-hoon (left) and Shin Yu-bin takes a selfie with North Korea’s silver medallists Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong along with China’s gold medallists Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha during the table tennis mixed doubles victory ceremony.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Despite the two sides still being technically at war, South Korean table tennis mixed doubles pair Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin initiated a wefie with their North Korean counterparts Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, and China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha during the victory ceremony of their event. The Olympic spirit lives on amid their countries’ political tensions.
3. A helping hand first, competition later
Silina Pha Aphay of Laos (left) was the first to help her rival, South Sudan’s Lucia Moris, after she collapsed on the ground clutching at her right leg during the preliminary sprinting heat of the women’s 100m race at the Stade de France.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Athletes know the pain of suffering an injury and instead of capitalising on someone else’s misfortune, Laotian sprinter Silina Pha Aphay was the first on scene to help her rival, South Sudan’s Lucia Moris, after an inury. The latter had collapsed on the ground clutching at her right thigh during the preliminary heats of the women’s 100m race at the Stade de France.
4. Congratulating a friend
Hayden Wilde (left) of New Zealand sits next to Britain’s gold medallist Alex Yee as France’s Pierre Le Corre crosses the finish line to claim bronze in the men’s individual triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
PHOTO: AFP
There is usually disappointment after coming in second in a race, especially at the Olympics. But to be beaten by a friend might make it better.
New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde was beaten by Britain’s Alex Yee in the men’s triathlon and the silver medallist sat beside Yee by the finish line and shared a moment as they watched Frenchman Pierre Le Corre claim bronze.
5. Respect for a fallen rival
China’s He Bingjiao (left) holds up a pin with the Spanish flag during the badminton women’s singles victory ceremony, to show respect for injured athlete Carolina Marin.
PHOTO: LAOBALAOMADECAI/REDDIT
China’s He Bingjiao was set to leave the Paris Olympics empty-handed as she trailed Rio 2016 gold medallist Carolina Marin 21-14, 10-8 in their badminton women’s semi-final match.
However, Marin collapsed as she succumbed to an old knee injury and was forced to retire in a flood of tears. The Chinese player eventually lost to South Korea’s An Se-young in the gold medal match.
During the victory ceremony, she held a pin showing the Spanish flag in a show of respect to Marin.
