“If you fall, get back on your feet, dust yourself up and start again.”  

We may have heard this saying a lot of times but never really realised its true meaning until we saw athlete Sifan Hassan demonstrating it for us at the Tokyo Olympics. 

© Reuters

The long-distance runner representing the Netherlands in the 2020 Olympics was running the women's 1,500 meter race when she fell. The runner ahead of her tripped and tumbled, making her fall too. There was one lap still to go.

© Getty Image

She got up and resumed the race like nothing happened like a true sportsperson and managed to power through the track and qualify for the semifinals. If this isn’t true sportsmanship, we don’t know what is. 

© Instagram/Sifan Hassan

The spectators can’t help but appreciate and applaud her spirit and talent. People on Twitter called it an impressive comeback. This is probably the best recovery in the history of the Olympics. 

© Instagram/Sifan Hassan

Here are the best tweets where people salute this incredible win.  

What grit, what fitness, what talent. This is athletics at totally different level.
Bravo #SifanHassan https://t.co/QCbc7t4ytw

— Yogesh Londhe (@yogi_Londhe) August 2, 2021

Life lesson, when you fall... incredible #SifanHassan https://t.co/mOJ7hqOXqc

— prince mic (@princemic5) August 2, 2021

Imagine being so good at a track event that you can fall with a lap to go, get up, and still beat a field of elite athletes while looking totally composed crossing the line. Unreal. https://t.co/zqY2XbcJhr

— Tony Graham (@Greytony123) August 2, 2021

One of the most amazing races I've ever seen. She was tripped by another athlete, fell, got up, was way behind everyone, but ran past them all to the front to win. Incredible! #Hassan #Olympics https://t.co/XDITWuZaYI

— Jennifer K (@Jennifer_inLR) August 2, 2021

Everyone saying she fell down like she stumbled. That lady in front of her took her down! And she still recovered. Incredible to be that dominant at anything!

— LeRamski Lake (@ConneryThe) August 2, 2021

Sifan Hassan displays impressive zeal and attitude of never giving up. She didn’t let a misstep stop her from finishing the race. People called it a demonstration of the biggest life lesson, which is, getup and get going every time you fall. 

© Instagram/Sifan Hassan

She told Reuters, “I can't believe it. I used all my energy this morning and I was kind of tired. I couldn't believe what happened. It was terrible when I tripped. I felt terrible afterwards and I never thought I am going to be [an] Olympic champion."

© Reuters

She participated in the 5,000 meter race in the semi finals and, wait for it, won a gold medal the same day. She is also the first Dutch woman to win a medal in a long distance race. 

Isn’t this amazing?

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