Eagle-eyed Olympics fans spotted a moment of true sportsmanship in the immediate aftermath of Alex Yeeâs stunning gold in the menâs triathlon this morning.
New Zealandâs Hayden Wilde appeared to have one hand on the top prize as he opened up a sizeable lead over the rest of the field after the swimming and cycling events, with Team GBâs Yee 14 seconds adrift with one lap of running remaining.
French fans began roaring on their home favourite, Leo Bergere, who appeared to be closing the gap on Yee, but the British athlete held firm and began eating up ground on Wilde, with the finishing line coming into view.
And when Yee squeezed past Wilde, the Kiwi athlete simply had nothing left to give â his legs seemingly gone after a gruelling and compelling battle over the three disciplines.
Yee â who won silver in Tokyo three years ago â collapsed in a heap after storming home to seal Team GBâs fifth gold medal of the Games and the 26-year-old athlete was soon joined by Wilde on the track.
After Wilde was able to catch his breath, he showed his class by throwing his arm around Yee, congratulating his Lewisham-born rival on an incredible victory.
Speaking shortly after the race, Wilde passed on his congratulations to Yee and said he was âstokedâ for the Brit.
âIt was just a great race overall. He slowed up at 2km in, and I knew that was my time to go,â Wilde said.
âI got the gap and pushed and pushed and tried and tried. But I missed out at the end.
âI gave it everything, I canât leave this race with a âwhat if?â.
âIâm just stoked for Alex as well. Weâve both choked in big grand finals. Itâs really nice to pull one off for him and I.â
More to follow.
MORE : âAstonishingâ â Emma Raducanu hits back at Judy Murray after Wimbledon withdrawal
MORE : Why Rory McIlroy is representing Ireland and not Team GB at the Olympics
MORE : Athletes are eating packed lunches at the Olympics â and thereâs one food they really want
