Competitors Show Kindness at Unusual Olympics
2021-08-03
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1As the world watched the Tokyo Olympics, we saw a surfer helping to translate for the surfer who had just won, high-jumping friends agreeing to share a gold medal and two runners falling, then helping each other to the finish line.
2In an unusual Olympic Games where competitors spoke openly of their mental health, acts of kindness are everywhere.
3In news photos, the world's most competitive athletes appear, showing gentleness and warmth to one another.
4They are celebrating, giving encouragement and comforting when another faces setbacks.
5Kanoa Igarashi is a Japanese-American surfer competing for Japan.
6He was sad when he came in second place to Brazilian Italo Ferreira in their sport's first-ever Olympic event.
7Igarishi had lost the fight for a gold medal on the beach he grew up surfing.
8The Japanese-American surfer could have suffered in silence, but he instead used his knowledge of Portuguese.
9He helped to translate a press conference question for Ferreira.
10The crowd laughed hearing the translation from a fellow competitor and an official thanked the silver medalist for the help.
11"Yes, thank you, Kanoa," said a beaming Ferreira, who is learning English.
12Igarishi's friend, Portuguese surfer Teresa Bonvalot, is also competing in the Olympics.
13Days later, at the Olympic Stadium, Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar got into in a situation they had talked about but never experienced - they had the same number of points.
14Both high jumpers were perfect until the bar was set to the Olympic-record height of 2.39 meters.
15Each missed three times.
16They could have continued to another jump, but instead decided to share the gold.
17"I know for a fact that for the performance I did, I deserve that gold. He did the same thing, so I know he deserved that gold," Barshim said.
18"This is beyond sport. This is the message we deliver to the young generation."
19After they decided, Tamberi slapped Barshim's hand and jumped into his arms.
20"Sharing with a friend is even more beautiful," Tamberi said.
21"It was just magical."
22Earlier, on the same path, runners Isaiah Jewett of the U.S. and Nijel Amos of Botswana fell together during the 800-meter semifinals.
23Rather than get angry, they helped each other to their feet, put their arms around each other and finished together.
24Many top athletes come to know each other personally from their time at competitions around the world.
25At earlier events, they have watched each other through the best and worst times.
26Those feelings have often grown at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games.
27There is desire for normalcy, and there is enjoyment at once again seeing familiar faces.
28For American Carissa Moore, the pandemic and its restrictions brought her closer with the other surfers.
29The current world champion said she usually travels to surfing competitions with her husband and father.
30But all guests were banned from the Olympics this year.
31Moore said she struggled being at the Games without her family.
32Moore lived in a home with the other surfers, including teammate Caroline Marks, Moore's strongest rival.
33Moore said she didn't know Marks well before the Tokyo Games.
34But on the night Moore became the winner and Marks came in fourth, her rival was the first to greet her.
35"Having the USA Surf team with me, it's been such a beautiful experience," Moore said.
36She added that they had become as close as a family.
37Norwegian Lotte Miller placed 24th in the difficult women's triathlon last week.
38She took a moment to encourage Belgium's Claire Michel, who had done so poorly that she sat on the ground, crying.
39Michel had come in last, 15 minutes behind winner Flora Duffy of Bermuda.
40But she did finish. Fifty-four athletes started the race, but only 34 finished it.
41Miller told Michel she is a fighter.
42"This is Olympic spirit, and you've got it 100 percent."
43I'm Jill Robbins.
1As the world watched the Tokyo Olympics, we saw a surfer helping to translate for the surfer who had just won, high-jumping friends agreeing to share a gold medal and two runners falling, then helping each other to the finish line. 2In an unusual Olympic Games where competitors spoke openly of their mental health, acts of kindness are everywhere. In news photos, the world's most competitive athletes appear, showing gentleness and warmth to one another. They are celebrating, giving encouragement and comforting when another faces setbacks. 3Kanoa Igarashi is a Japanese-American surfer competing for Japan. He was sad when he came in second place to Brazilian Italo Ferreira in their sport's first-ever Olympic event. 4Igarishi had lost the fight for a gold medal on the beach he grew up surfing. The Japanese-American surfer could have suffered in silence, but he instead used his knowledge of Portuguese. He helped to translate a press conference question for Ferreira. 5The crowd laughed hearing the translation from a fellow competitor and an official thanked the silver medalist for the help. 6"Yes, thank you, Kanoa," said a beaming Ferreira, who is learning English. Igarishi's friend, Portuguese surfer Teresa Bonvalot, is also competing in the Olympics. 7Sharing a score - and the gold 8Days later, at the Olympic Stadium, Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar got into in a situation they had talked about but never experienced - they had the same number of points. 9Both high jumpers were perfect until the bar was set to the Olympic-record height of 2.39 meters. Each missed three times. 10They could have continued to another jump, but instead decided to share the gold. 11"I know for a fact that for the performance I did, I deserve that gold. He did the same thing, so I know he deserved that gold," Barshim said. "This is beyond sport. This is the message we deliver to the young generation." 12After they decided, Tamberi slapped Barshim's hand and jumped into his arms. 13"Sharing with a friend is even more beautiful," Tamberi said. "It was just magical." 14Earlier, on the same path, runners Isaiah Jewett of the U.S. and Nijel Amos of Botswana fell together during the 800-meter semifinals. Rather than get angry, they helped each other to their feet, put their arms around each other and finished together. 15Many top athletes come to know each other personally from their time at competitions around the world. At earlier events, they have watched each other through the best and worst times. 16Those feelings have often grown at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games. There is desire for normalcy, and there is enjoyment at once again seeing familiar faces. 17Like a family 18For American Carissa Moore, the pandemic and its restrictions brought her closer with the other surfers. 19The current world champion said she usually travels to surfing competitions with her husband and father. But all guests were banned from the Olympics this year. Moore said she struggled being at the Games without her family. 20Moore lived in a home with the other surfers, including teammate Caroline Marks, Moore's strongest rival. Moore said she didn't know Marks well before the Tokyo Games. But on the night Moore became the winner and Marks came in fourth, her rival was the first to greet her. 21"Having the USA Surf team with me, it's been such a beautiful experience," Moore said. She added that they had become as close as a family. 22Norwegian Lotte Miller placed 24th in the difficult women's triathlon last week. She took a moment to encourage Belgium's Claire Michel, who had done so poorly that she sat on the ground, crying. 23Michel had come in last, 15 minutes behind winner Flora Duffy of Bermuda. But she did finish. Fifty-four athletes started the race, but only 34 finished it. 24Miller told Michel she is a fighter. "This is Olympic spirit, and you've got it 100 percent." 25I'm Jill Robbins. 26Sally Ho wrote this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. 27________________________________________________ 28Words in This Story 29athlete - n. a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength 30encouragement -n. something that makes someone more likely to do something 31comfort - v. to cause (someone) to feel less worried, upset, frightened 32deserve - v. used to say that someone or something should have or be given something 33slap - v. to hit (someone or something) with the front or back of your open hand 34magical - adj. very pleasant or exciting 35rival - n. a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another 36What do you think of the trend for athletes to show each other kindness? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments