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Athlete Sacrifices First Place in Order to Help Brother Cross the Finish Line During Triathlon
The World Triathlon Series in Mexico saw a dramatic finish on Sunday when two brothers showed the greatest display of sportsmanship and a strong family bond.
26-year-old Jonny Brownlee was just 700 meters away from the finish line when he suddenly began to stumble and basically collapsed into the arms of one of the water carriers on the course. Luckily, Brownlee’s brother Alistair, who was also participating in the race, was in third place and turned the corner just in time to come to his brother’s aid.
Without missing a beat, Alistair Brownlee came in and picked his brother up. Alistair Brownlee then helped his brother make it to the finish line, half-carrying him for support.
Unfortunately, Herni Schoeman, an athlete from South Africa overtook the brothers and came in first when Alistair slowed to help Jonny. However, Alistair Brownlee made sure to push his brother Jonny over the finish line first so he would take second, while he took third. Check out the touching moment below.
The 2016 WTS season ends in a dramatic fashion. What. A. Year. #WTS2016 pic.twitter.com/nvqNrrI13D
— World Triathlon (@worldtriathlon) September 19, 2016
After the race, Jonny Brownlee was rushed to the hospital on a stretcher. At the hospital, Jonny Brownlee was put on a drip and is now on the way to a smooth recovery.
Not how I wanted to end the season, but gave it everything. Thanks @AliBrownleetri, your loyalty is incredible pic.twitter.com/6uG4QiIgfS
— Jonathan Brownlee (@jonny_brownlee) September 19, 2016
Later in the day Jonny Brownlee shared on Twitter that dehydration led to his collapse.
Normally when you have had too much to drink. This time it was the opposite #ouch https://t.co/1BVn7evdso
— Jonathan Brownlee (@jonny_brownlee) September 19, 2016
For Alistair Brownlee it was “a natural human reaction” to help his brother.
“I’d have done the same thing for anyone in that position,” he shared with BBC.
However, he isn’t letting his brother off the hook that easily.
“I wish the flippin’ idiot had paced it right and crossed the finish line first,” he shared. “He could have jogged that last two kilometers and won the race. You have to race the conditions. I was comfortable in third. I raced the conditions, I took the water on, made myself cool and I was all right.”
Seems like this is one family memory they will never forget.