AND THIS IS why we love sport.
On Saturday, 17-year-old Meghan Vogel made headlines in America after she stopped to help a struggling competitor across the finish line at a high-school meet in Colombus, Ohio.
Vogel, from West Liberty Salem High School, had earlier won gold in the shorter 1,600m race but found herself in last place as she neared the end of 3,200m.
As she caught up with 16-year-old Arden McMath of Arlington High, Vogel realised that McMath’s legs had buckled and that she was in danger of collapsing.
Rather than continuing on to avoid a last-place finish herself, Vogel stopped and carried the lifeless McMath to the end, pushing her across the finish line first before crossing herself.
“It’s an honor and very humbling,” Vogel — whose Twitter bio simply reads “Running is Life” — told the AP after receiving congratulations since the story spread around the world.
I just thought I was doing the right thing, and I think others would have done the same.
“I really don’t think just everyone would have done that,” McMath told the AP. “I just couldn’t believe what she did — especially pushing me in front of her — and I’m so grateful.”
Here’s the video of Vogel and McMath crossing the line together:
YouTube Credit: hbumbalo
And here’s Vogel’s earlier victory in the 1,600m:
YouTube Credit: hbumbalo
