Rain is a crucial factor in many sports since it may completely alter the nature of the game. Wet tires are used in rainy Formula One races, while NASCAR has been known to postpone a whole weekend of racing due to slick oval tracks. However, this weather condition has never resulted in the postponement of a track and field competition. Track and field athletes have it the hardest when it rains. This was on display during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games final for the women’s 5000-meter run in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Some of the runners probably lost their drive due to the weather, but this Cambodian competitor kept going to the end.

Twitter went crazy when a video of Cambodian runner Bou Samnang crossing the finish line of a race in the pouring rain was posted on the official website of World Athletics. Although Samnang did not come out on top, the video became viral because it was a wonderful example of true sportsmanship. The Cambodian Prime Minister also presented the runner with a special gift after the run.

Display of pure sportsmanship

On Monday, Vietnamese runner Nguyen Thi Oanh won the women’s 5000-meter final. Since the Cambodian runner was not near the front, her race was effectively done well before the finish line was reached. All the athletes’ expectations were dashed when it started raining. Bou Samnang, however, did not intend to quit fighting for her homeland on that day. Samnang ran through the rain until the end of the race, representing her nation with honor even if she did not win a medal.

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In the Twitter video, Bou Samnang can be seen sprinting alone on the track while the rain falls. All by herself in the pouring rain, runner 401 had just the support of the appreciative audience and her own will to finish the race for her country. The crowd went absolutely wild as Samnang crossed the finish line, witnessing a display of true sportsmanship. Samnang grabbed the Cambodian flag and waved it in front of the cheering throng as she thanked her supporters and sobbed.

After the video of the Cambodian runner’s perseverance went viral, the country’s prime minister, Hun Sen, presented her with a $10,000 reward for her efforts. The athlete may not have won any gold in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, but she undoubtedly captivated the hearts of many spectators.

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