04/23/24
January 31, 2009
U.S Olympian gives silver to race opponent: A member of the U.S. Olympic track team, who was awarded the silver medal in the 200 meters, gave his medal to the man who finished second but was disqualified.
Good on him.
But with the second and third runners both DQ'ed, does the 'third placegetter' over the line now get a bronze? Or should it go to Crawford instead?
If no-one was impeded, then the IAAF should go back to the original result. Maybe that's what Crawford's saying.
posted by owlhouse at 10:30 PM on January 31, 2009
Fucking classy! Great story. Warms the cockles of my cold, black heart.
posted by Drood at 12:21 AM on February 01, 2009
If no-one was impeded, then the IAAF should go back to the original result. Maybe that's what Crawford's saying.
I think that's the point. Crawford doesn't feel like Martina cheated in any way, nor did it affect him, so why should he get a medal he didn't earn? It's a classy gesture.
posted by dfleming at 08:53 AM on February 01, 2009
Regardless how it will look in the record book, this is what sportsmanship is really all about. Stay classy!
posted by BornIcon at 03:06 PM on February 05, 2009
That's a terrific gesture. Very noble of Crawford to do that. But in 100 years the record books will indicate Crawford as the silver medalist and not many will know the after story. I do appreciate the display of sportsmanship though, and stories like these are why I will continue to be a big fan of the Olympic games and its athletes.