In a race nearing the finish line, Kenyan runner John Stephen Akhwari was ahead of everyone. He thought he had already won the race. Right behind him was Spain’s runner, Evaristo fernandez. When fernandez saw that Akhwari was mistakenly stopping, he called out, “Keep running! The finish line isn’t crossed yet!”
Akhwari didn’t understand Fernandez’s words because he didn’t speak his language, so he was confused. This was Fernandez’s chance to pass him and win the race. However, Fernandez made an extraordinary decision. He pushed Akhwari across the finish line first.
Thousands of spectators in the stadium cheered and applauded Fernandez’s sportsmanship for a long time. Even though he lost the race, Fernandez became a hero.
Later, a journalist asked Fernandez why he let Akhwari win when he could have easily won the race himself. Fernandez replied, “The race belonged to him. He was already winning. Besides, how could I face my mother if I won in such a manner?”
Fernandez added, “My dream is to create a society where people help each other to succeed, even if it means pushing someone else across the finish line first.”t
This story is based on a real event. The incident occurred during the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the men’s 10,000 meters final. Kenyan runner John Stephen Akhwari was leading the race but suffered an injury. Spanish runner Evaristo Fernandez, who was trailing, saw that Akhwari was struggling and helped him cross the finish line. Fernandez’s act of sportsmanship received widespread acclaim and became a celebrated example of integrity and kindness in sports.
