Tokyo Olympics 2020 has been an emotional experience for athletes competing in the pandemic. From heroic moments to fair play, athletes have portrayed their Olympic spirit at the mega-quadrennial games.
In the women’s triathlon match, Belgium’s Claire Michel had a major breakdown post-match. Notably, Norway’s Lotte Miller gave a pep talk to her opponent, who was heartbroken after the match.
While not everyone can win, athletes uplifting each other after losing is a surreal moment. It’s a reminder of humanity and great sportsmanship for viewers.
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Miller calls her opponent a fighter
During the triathlon match, athletes had an intense fight to win the long race. Claire Michel had a breakdown when she realized she was the last to finish. There was a quarter of a half difference between her and the winner’s time.
The triathlete couldn’t handle her emotions, but what happened next was heartwarming. Lotte Miller went to console her opponent, showing the genuine spirit of the Olympics. Miller herself had completed the match at the 24th position at two hours, two minutes, and 43 second’s time.
Miller, consoling her counterpart, said, “You are a f****** fighter.” Adding on to Claire’s achievement of finishing the race she said “This is the Olympic spirit, and you’ve got it 100%.”
"This is Olympic spirit!"
Lotte Miller consoles Claire Michel – the final athlete to cross the finish line in the women's triathlon ❤️#Tokyo2020 | #Triathlon pic.twitter.com/emGSBWUFJY
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 27, 2021
Twenty-one athletes couldn’t complete the race at Tokyo Olympics 2020
At the Olympics even completing a triathlon race is not a cakewalk for athletes. At the Odaiba Marine Park, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, 55 athletes took part in the triathlon race.
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Bermuda’s Flora Duffy created history by clinching the country’s first gold medal in the event. Duffy also couldn’t hold back her emotions after reaching a feat this high for her nation. Whereas, Great Britain’s Georgia Taylor-Brown finished at the second position followed by the USA’s Katie Zaferes.
In the triathlon, race triathletes have to compete in a 1.5-kilometer swim, followed by 40 kilometers of cycling and a 10-kilometer race. Notably, twenty-one out of fifty-five couldn’t reach the end.
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The act of kindness at Tokyo Olympics 2020 displays the solidarity between athletes. With just five days left for the end of mega-quadrennial games, the USA and China are having a neck-to-neck fight for the top position.
Also read: VIDEO: Karsten Warholm Rips Jersey After 400m Hurdles Win at Tokyo Olympics 2020