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Six Special Stories of Sportsmanship

So often we see athletes pitted against one another with stories of trash talk and negativity. This isn't always the reality, and so we thought we'd highlight some of the best examples of sportsmanship throughout the history of sport.

1. The spirit of the Commonwealth Games

During the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, the standout moment for many wasn't a gold medal victory but rather the gracious and inspiring behaviour that three athletes showed their opponent during the women's 10,000m final.

Aussie trio Eloise Wellings, Madeline Hills, and Celia Sullohern waited until the final runner, Lineo Chaka from Lesotho, had crossed the finishing line. The three ladies finished and could've left the track like the other athletes. Instead, they were waiting for Chaka to congratulate her and make sure she wasn't alone when she crossed the finishing line.

This was a proud moment for Aussies and sports fans everywhere.

2. Juan Martin del Potro and Nicolas Almago

Del Potro is no stranger to injury so when Almago needed to withdraw from the second round of Roland-Garros in 2017, it was a no brainer for him to help out an opponent in need.

3. Luz Long and Jesse Owens

Owens was the American world record holder in long jump and his German rival Long was the European record holder. At the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Owen had foot-faulted twice in his attempt to qualify for the final. Long offered Owens some advice on how to adjust his run-up, Owen's next jump was a success, he qualified for the final and went on to win the gold medal with Long taking second place.

4. Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin

During the 1969 Ryder Cup, a golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States, the overall scores were tied at 15.5 on the final hole between America's Nicklaus and Britain's Jacklin. After Nicklaus holed his putt to make par, Jacklin needed to sink a three-footer to tie the event for the first time in its history. But instead, Nicklaus picked up Jacklin's marker and conceded the tie. Famously quoted saying, "I don't think you would have missed that Tony," Nicklaus said, "but I didn't want to give you the chance."

5. Andrew Flintoff and Brett Lee

The second test of the 2005 Ashes series has gone down as one of the greatest matches of cricket let alone the Ashes. It was a nail bitter which came down to England winning by 2 runs. As the England team rushed around one another to celebrate England all-rounder Flintoff chose to console Australia's Brett Lee, who was left on 43 not out. "Bad luck mate, we tried very hard to get you out but we didn't think it would come down to the last two or three runs but I will see you inside for a beer after."

6. Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D'Agostino

Hamblin and D-Agostino were winners of the Olympic Fair Play award at the 2016 Rio Olympics and rightfully so. Competing in the 5,000m heat the two women collided with 2,000m to go, and instead of going their separate ways the two helped one another to recover. D'Agostino got up and tried to help Hamblin before falling over, where Hamblin then did the same. The two ran most of the race together with a display of epic sportsmanship and never quit attitude.

This is what sport is all about! Comment below to add any other favourite sporting moments.

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