This moment is not only about Laurent Dubreuil, Canadian speed skater, world champion in the 500m who had a redemption skate in the 1000m which is not his event (no medals in world cup this year on 1000m while he medaled at every world cup in the 500m)... who had spoken in such a great and mature way after his 4th place on the 500m (I woke up a happy man without an olympic medal, i will wake up tomorrow, still a happy man even if I still do not have that medal). it's most importantly about speed skater from the Netherlands Kai Verbij who pulled up at the cross over, seeing that Laurent was way ahead of him. Without this gesture of sportsmanship, Laurent would have been slowed down or they could have crashed. Gaetan Boucher, one of the most decorated speed skater from Canada (he won gold at the same distance at Sarajevo) explains that Verbij had no choice to pull up as he saw Laurent in the corner and had to let him pass. Laurent's mom also mentioned that wonderful gesture in an interview on French CBC. (If I find it later, I will add it later). I believe that the rules in speed skating give the advantage here to the skater having to come back to the Inside lane, but often, skaters by not pulling up quite that well, impede a bit on the other skater. This was such a heartwarming moment. Laurent's family were very touched by it. Of course, Kai was disappointed but he knows he did the right thing in this case.
Please post your favorite Olympic moment in sportsmanship from these games.
Please post your favorite Olympic moment in sportsmanship from these games.
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