An MRI on Wednesday revealed that she has a complete tear of the right ACL, a meniscus tear, and a strained MCL.
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Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D’Agostino were praised for their sporting behaviour after they clashed during Tuesday’s heat.
D’Agostino recovered first, helping Hamblin to her feet before crumpling to the track again.
“When we look back at the Rio Games this is going to be the moment, when Abbey picked me up and having that hug”.
“That girl is the Olympic spirit right there”, Hamblin said of D’Agostino, per the NYT.
Today in Rio, the women reunited and both agree, they wouldn’t change the outcome of the race – of which they finished last.
Hamblin initially ran with D’Agostino but pulled away after some time.
“Although my actions were instinctual at that moment, the only way I can and have rationalized it is that God prepared my heart to respond that way”, D’Agostino said. Suddenly, however, she felt a hand on her shoulder. D’Agostino immediately received medical treatment after the race and it is not clear if she will even be able to run. Like, I never met this girl before.
Cross-country skier Anton Gafarov tumbled on the course as he was heading down the hill toward the finish line. “I know that she’s young and she’s going to have so many more opportunities”, she said.
“All I remember is I saw some movement in the pack in front of me and the next thing I’m on the ground”, Hamblin said. D’Agostino then jumped back up to her feet. The duo will be allowed on the track for Friday’s final, though D’Agostino’s injury may prevent that.
The athletes have been lauded for their sportsmanship and for epitomising the Olympic spirit.
Her coach Make Coogan told USA Today Sports, “She did pretty much the opposite of what I told her”. I’ve never met this girl before, and isn’t that just so awesome?
“I didn’t even realise she was still running”.
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Hamblin described D’Agostino as “an wonderful woman” and revealed that the pair had never met before the collision. “When someone asks me what happened in Rio in 20 years’ time, that’s going to be my story”. As the two girls continued the race, Abbey realized that her ankle wasn’t in good shape and had to stop before finishing – and this time, it was Nikki encouraging Abbey to power through.
