American Isaiah Jewett's act of sportsmanship after being tripped is bigger than a win

TOKYO – Running the final curb in the men’s 800 meters, American Isaiah Jewett was in prime position to finish in the top two in his heat. Unfortunately, unintentional disaster happened.

Botswana’s Nijel Amos inadvertently tripped Jewett from behind and the two middle-distance runners collapsed on the track.

“I just felt like when I was starting to lift, somebody hit the back of my heel and that caused me to fall,” Jewett said. “It was devastating. I’m not going to lie.”

In a remarkable display of sportsmanship, Jewett got back up and helped Amos to his feet. Amos apologized for the mistake, Jewett put his arm around him and the two finished the race.

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Amos let Jewett finish one step a head of him. Jewett finished second to last in a 2:38.12 and Amos was last at 2:38.49.

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But where they finished was secondary. What mattered is that they finished the race and they showed everyone witnessing around the world an example of sportsmanship and forgiveness.

“I always have to finish a race. I got Nigel (Amos) up as well. I could see that he was devastated,” Jewett said following the race. “He apologized to me. I told him, ‘Let’s just finish the race man.’”

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There were no hard feelings. Jewett explained after the race he hoped in a way he made a heroic gesture.

“At the end of the day, I was super frustrated. I was so mad because I felt like I had a chance," he said. "I learned from all the superhero animations I watch, regardless of how mad you are, you have to be a hero at the end of the day. That was my version of trying to be a hero.

"Standing up and showing good character, even if it’s my rival or whoever I’m racing. I don’t want any bad because that’s what hero’s do. They show their humanity through who they are. They show that they are good people.”

Jewett showed the world on the biggest stage what type of person he is.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tokyo Olympics: American Isaiah Jewett displays sportsmanship in 800m