waider | well, that was nice

Bob Harris, over at This Modern World:

...then there was the magnificent show of love given to an injured distance runner from Ireland who was lapped by almost the entire field and labored alone for nearly two minutes to finally cross the finish line.

We weren't just cheering. Many of us were standing. And when it was my turn to help cheer her as she struggled along the back stretch, I noticed my eyes had filled with tears. So had Leslie's. And almost everyone else's.

Just for a moment there, it felt like all of humanity had a good and decent soul. We need more moments like that. (link)

I missed the race myself. I knew she was running, but forgot about it completely until well after the fact. Nice to know she got more than just the Irish supporters behind her. Mind you, I don't think she was injured so much as simply outclassed - this is her fourth, and no doubt final Olympic visit, an amazing record in itself. She's held various records over her career, and has an Olympic silver to show for her efforts. Word is that she'll participate in the European championship athletics in two years' time, but beyond that she's probably out of the game.