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| Rei Iida is determined to complete the race. |
One of the members of a relay team, 19-year-old Rei Iida, fell down and was unable to run. But so intense was her determination not to let her team down, she crawled the remaining 200 to 300 meters on her knees in order to pass on the relay sash to her teammate.
Besides the bloody bruises on her knees, she had suffered a fracture.
While the young girl's perseverance is admirable and inspiring, the unfortunate part of the story is that the young woman didn't know that her team officials, on seeing her fall down, had informed the organisers that the team was pulling out of the race. By the time that message reached the runner, she had already crawled her way, and was very close to sash-passing point.
Here is a report in Singapore's Straits Times news website, which also contains a 3.51-minute Youtube video clip of the incident. The point where the girl falls is after 45 seconds.
KENYAN WOMAN TOO DID IT
This is the not the first time someone is crawling to the finish. In February 2015, in Austin, Texas, a 29-year-old Kenyan marathoner, Hyvon Ngetich, crawled to the finish line, after collapsing just 50 meters ahead of the finishing line and declining a wheelchair. When she collapsed, she was leading the race, but she still managed to end the race in the third place.
Here is a video from the BBC.
Truly inspiring stories of determination to overcome challenges.
While it is a great effort, such acts run the risk of increasing the injury levels.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
That's a good point, especially considering that when she fell down she had already injured herself.
DeleteI've never truly understood that level of commitment to a sporting event. It shows the dedication and drive that it takes to be a successful sportsperson and is probably the reason why I'll always be in the spectator stands!
ReplyDeleteNice to have you back for MLSTL and I've shared on my SM :)
:-) Thanks, Leanne.
DeleteHi Pradeep - people will go to extraordinary lengths to support their fellow team-mates ... especially in cases like this - how sad for her ... but it's good to know she finished the race. I hope she heals fully. Perhaps the organisers will reinstate the team ... as they'll only finish and won't take anyone else's glory - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point, Hilary. The team should be reinstated for the records at least.
DeleteIt's nice to see her determination, but sad that the officials pulled them out of the race.
ReplyDeleteYes, Liz. Tks.
DeleteI get that she didn't want to let her team down, but she shouldn't have felt that she did just because she was injured. Now she's hurt even worse.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Oneil. She has injured herself more. Tks.
DeleteSuch commitment but perhaps we don't always have to go to extreme lengths especially when it can cause injury. Thank you for sharing this story of courage with us at #MLSTL and have a great day.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sue. Hope the injury didn't get worse because of what she did.
DeleteGreat determination. I applaud her. But her team officials should have rushed to stop her.
ReplyDeleteApparently, Rajan, the team officials are being questioned as to why the message didn't reach the young woman in time.
Deleteuplifting and inspiring. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete