Kiwi runner’s sporting spirit ‘no surprise’
Fellow NZ club athletes say helping fallen competitor mid-race completely in character for ‘lovely’ Hamblin
New Zealand distance runner Nikki Hamblin’s show of sportsmanship at the Olympics overnight was of no surprise to those who know her.
Her athletics club and book store colleagues say she is “very genuine” and “always gracious”.
Hamblin, 28, was competing in the women’s 5000m heats when she tripped on the inside curb of the track with four laps to go, bringing US competitor Abbey D’Agostino down to the ground with her.
Both athletes, clearly hurt and emotional, helped each other to their feet to continue with the race.
After initially failing to finish within the qualifying time both runners were added to the final after a protest from the New Zealand and US teams.
Their embrace and shared tears at the finish line has been dubbed a true illustration of the Olympic competitive spirit to the world.
Originally from Weymouth in Dorset, England, Hamblin moved to New Zealand in 2006.
She lives in Cambridge and trains with the Cambridge Athletics and Harrier Club.
Club president George Chambers said Hamblin was a “very genuine person”.
“She’s extremely humble,” he said. “She doesn’t boast and doesn’t say much about what she’s doing.
“She’s always pleased to mix with others and that’s what came through.
“She’s had tumbles before and been injured so I imagine when she saw the American runner was still down, she would have thought ‘I know what that’s like’.”
Chambers said the club backed her all the way and would be looking forward to her return, regardless of whether she won a medal.
“We’re delighted to have her in the club. She wants to be a mentor to some of our younger athletes, which is great. All the younger ones look up to her.”
Hamblin has worked parttime at Wrights Bookshop in Cambridge between training and competitions for several years.
Rick Wright, whose son owns the store, said Hamblin was a “neat person” who was loved by everyone.
“I’m not really surprised [about the sportsmanship]. She cheers everyone up . . . when she’s here.”
Another Wrights colleague said Hamblin was “always gracious” and helpful.
“I’m not at all surprised she helped the American girl.
“It’s great that her sports- manship culminated in her getting a second chance.”
Speaking on Mike Hosking Breakfast yesterday, Hamblin said she would remember the moment for the rest of her life.
“It wasn’t what I expected to happen when I got out of bed this morning. When I look back at the races I’ve done in previous years, you don’t remember the performance moments, you remember the moments like that.
“When I look back on Rio 2016, I’m not going to remember where I finished, [or] my time but I’ll always remember that moment.”
Asked if she felt like a hero, Hamblin said “no, not at all” and praised D’Agostino for helping her up. “She helped me first. She was pretty bad.”
She eventually had to leave D’Agostino behind and thought the American would have to give up.
She waited at the finish line where they shared a hug. This time, it was D’Agostino who was in tears and she was taken out of the stadium in a wheelchair.
“That girl is the Olympic spirit right there,” said Hamblin.