Shot put player's decision to run the extra mile as a hurdler for her team wins the internet

More than results in a game, the way athletes behave and the values they display are also very important. Be it taking a stand for fellow participants or showing compassion during a competition, little things go a long way in differentiating champions from legends. Recently Jolien Maliga Boumkwo showcased the true meaning of being a sportsperson through her efforts at keeping her team alive at the competition, as reported by My Modern Met. The Belgian Athlete was participating at the European Athletics Team Championships and after garnering the seventh position in her shot-put event, people expected that her job at the championship was finished. But to everyone's surprise, she was seen competing as a hurdler the next day, even though she does't play that sport.

The motivation that made her go the extra mile was the survival of her country's team in the tournament. The hurdler who was supposed to participate in the event, Anne Zagré, injured herself before the main event and the team had no backup. It was then that Boumkwo stepped up even though she wasn't proficient in the sport. This spirit of teamwork has garnered a lot of love from all over the world with its video going viral on social media. Even though Boumkwo was hastily put into this situation and that too on a global stage, she carried a positive reflected on her face before starting off the race.

The coach guided Boumkwo and asked her to prioritize herself in the event and not get injured while trying to win. Therefore, the athlete went in with the strategy of slowly hopping through the hurdles rather than just making a run for it. It must have been difficult to maintain her patience and pace as other professional participants raced ahead in the game. Though Boumkwo failed to win, her patience and the spirit with which she stepped in caught everyone's attention. Regarding her feelings during the race, she told the NY Times, "It was a beautiful atmosphere."

Boumko was not disappointed with the loss as her main objective through participation was not winning but protecting her team from disqualification. Eventually, she managed to earn two points for her effort in the game and clinched the second-last position due to a false start by another player. She emphasized “My team is the most important thing for me. I couldn't let it happen to lose by one point.” Unfortunately, her marvelous efforts could not act as a saving grace for the Belgian team and it had to face a demotion to Division 2.

Jolien Maliga Boumkwo is an active player in the shot put and hammer throw events. At present, she is a national record holder for both events. People in the comment section were filled with appreciation for the athlete's effort. @marc_koot wrote, "Respect and this is sportswomanship, thinking what's important for her country.. her happy face makes me happy". @ey.sk8_ was happy seeing the way the other athletes encouraged Boumkwo, "The other runners who congratulated her on the pitch are awesome. 👏🙌"