10 memorable moments of Olympic sportsmanship

BySEAN HURD, ESPNW.COM
August 19, 2016, 3:20 PM

— -- In the second heat of the women's 5,000 meters Tuesday at the Olympics, Abbey D'Agostino of the United States reminded us of what the Games are all about.

After Nikki Hamblin tripped, D'Agostino stumbled and fell over the New Zealander, injuring her knee.

But instead of immediately attempting to catch the pack of runners, the American helped the visibly rattled Hamblin to her feet.

"Get up, get up! We have to finish!'' D'Agostino told her. "This is the Olympic Games. We have to finish this.'"

The two shaken runners were able to finish the heat, although well behind the rest of the field. D'Agostino has been lauded for her inspiring actions.

It's not the first gesture of sportsmanship at the Olympics, and it's likely not the last.?

Here are 10 other memorable moments of great sportsmanship at the Summer Olympics:

Lutz Long, long jumper, Berlin 1936

After fouling on his first two attempts in the long jump, Jesse Owens needed to make an adjustment if he expected to qualify for the final. Legend has it that German competitor Long, who had befriended Owens, told the 23-year-old American to tweak his approach -- advice that would change the course of the competition. Long, who had already qualified for the final, told Owens to make his final attempt from a foot behind the takeoff board to avoid the risk of another foul. Using Lutz's advice, Owens qualified for the final and went on to win gold. Long earned the silver.

Shawn Crawford, sprinter, Beijing 2008

In the final of the 200 meters, American sprinter Crawford finished fourth behind winner Usain Bolt, Churandy Martina of the Netherlands Antilles and American Wallace Spearmon. But afterward, it was determined Spearmon and Martina had stepped on their lane lines during the race, a technicality that disqualified them. As a result, Crawford went from fourth place to second and was awarded the silver medal. After the Games, Martina received a package from Crawford. When he opened it, it contained the American's silver medal and a note: "I know this won't replace the moment, but I want you to have this, because I believe it's rightfully yours!"

Andrew Turner and Jackson Quinonez, hurdlers, London 2012

During a heat in the 110-meter hurdles, Chinese track star Liu Xiang injured his right leg and hobbled past the finish line. Britain's Turner and Spain's Quinonez came to Xiang's aid, assisting the 2004 Olympic champion and former world-record holder to a wheelchair to be taken from the track.

Shuhei Nishida and Sueo Oe, pole vaulters, Berlin 1936

After Earle Meadows of the United States won gold in the pole vault, Japanese competitors Nishida and Oe competed in a jump-off for the silver. Although both vaulters finished with the same height, the silver was ultimately awarded to Nishida for having fewer misses than Oe. However, when the Olympians returned home, they did the unthinkable. Nishida and Oe cut their medals in half to create two new medals of half silver, half bronze. They were called the "medals of friendship."

Derek Redmond, sprinter, Barcelona?1992

Who can forget Redmond's courageous moment during his 400-meter semifinal? Near the end of the race, the British track star suffered a torn hamstring and began hobbling in pain, but he was determined to finish. As Redmond struggled, his father came to his aid, rushing down from the stands through fans and past security to reach his son. With Jim Redmond supporting him on the track, Derek completed the race, although he was later disqualified for receiving assistance. In 2012, Jim Redmond was a torchbearer for the 2012 London Games.

Lawrence Lemieux, sailor, Seoul 1988

During the fifth race of Finn class sailing, a seven-race event, harsh winds caused Singapore's Joseph Chan and Siew Shaw to capsize, throwing them into the water. When Lemieux saw the stranded sailors, the Canadian veered from his course and ceded his second-place position to rescue them. He returned to the race but finished in 22nd place. Because of his actions, the yacht racing's world governing body gave Lemieux the points from the race he would have earned for a second-place finish. Lemieux finished 11th overall in the event but was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal for sportsmanship from the IOC for his actions.

Cam McEvoy, swimmer, Rio 2016

Favored in the 100-meter freestyle, Australian swimmer Cam McEvoy finished a shocking seventh. But instead of sulking and turning a cheek to the winner, Australian teammate Kyle Chalmers, McEvoy championed Chalmers and celebrated his Olympic roommate's victory. After the race, McEvoy hoisted Chalmers' arm and pointed at the gold-medal winner to recognize his feat.

Dara Torres, swimmer, Beijing 2008

The swimsuit of Sweden's Therese Alshammar ripped as she was preparing for a 50-meter freestyle semifinal. Torres, an American competing in her fifth Olympics, tried helping Alshammar fix the suit, but Alshammar had to change it and didn't enter the pool area with the rest of the swimmers. Unaware of Alshammar's situation, race officials simply assumed she had missed her race. Torres, however, told them what was going on, and the race didn't start until Alshammar was ready. Alshammar did not qualify for the final, but Torres did and went on to take silver.

Judy Guinness, fencer, Los Angeles 1932

British fencer Guinness was in position to win the individual foil gold medal match against Austria's Ellen Preis. Guinness, however, notified the judges that they failed to award two points to Preis for successful touches, and the change in scoring reversed the final result, giving Preis gold and Guinness silver.

Pavle Kostov and Petar Cupac, sailors, Beijing 2008

Kostov and Cupac of Croatia didn't qualify for the final of the men's 49er skiff class, but their boat did. Event leaders Jonas Warrer and Martin Kirketerp Ibsen of Denmark were in danger of being stranded when the mast of their skiff broke before the 10-boat final. But Kostav and Cupac agreed to let the Danes use their vessel. Warrer and Ibsen finished seventh in the borrowed boat, which was all they needed to clinch the gold medal. Kostov, Cupac and their trainer, Ivan Bulaja, were awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal for their sporting gesture.