"I Hope You Like the Medal"
By Steve Kinsman, 16th Aug 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutNewsSport
When the Canadian Olympic 4X400 relay team was disqualified and lost their bronze medal, a 10 year old Newfoundland boy sent them his own medal.
Elijah Porter's gift
Elijah Porter, a ten year old boy from Newfoundland, was, like many Canadians, heartbroken when their nation's 4X100 relay team won the Olympic bronze medal, only to be disqualified when one of their runners stepped on a lane line during the race. The Canadians - Justyn Warner, Oluseyi Smith, Gavin Smellie and Jared Connaughton - had thrust themselves from relative obscurity onto the medal podium, or so they thought, when they came in third behind the Jamaicans and the Americans.
Overjoyed at coming in third, the Canadian runners had draped themselves in their country's flag and had just begun a victory lap around the stadium, filled with 80,000 fans, when the disqualification was announced, after the judges saw that Connaughton had hit the line on one step of the third leg of the race.
"Yeah, it was my fault," said Connaughton. "It was a great race. When I looked up on the screen, I saw the replay and I could see that I stepped on the line. It was pretty unforgivable. I am sad and sorry for my teammates."
Warner,. however, said "Everyone dreams about getting a medal and we just had one taken away. It sucks."
Canadian athletic officials immediately appealed the ruling, saying that Connaughton's misstep posed no advantage and had no bearing on the outcome, but their appeal was quickly denied.
Elijah's letter
With his letter to the four Canadian Olympic sprinters, Elijah enclosed the Timbit soccer medal he won at Tim Horton's Donut Shop:
"Dear Justyn, Gavin, Jared, and Oluseyi, I'm Elijah Porter. I'm ten and I live in Newfoundland, Canada. When I heard what happened om Aug. 11, I knew it was wrong. The rules were not right. But, at last, I realized how good you were. We're Canadians. We persevere. We create better lives for each other. The cold didn't stop us from living in the north. We didn't lose the War of 1812. We have earned our freedom. Someday, if I become a biologist, if I get rich, and, if I remember, I will donate money to the summer and winter Canadian Olympians. I hope you like the medal." - Elijah Porter.
images from commondreams.org
Comments
16th Aug 2012 (#)
This is the true spirit of the Olympic games, a wonderful story Steve.
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16th Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you johnnydod. I appreciate that.
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16th Aug 2012 (#)
I agree with Johnny, Steve. I also agree with Elijah Porter, that rule is wrong.
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16th Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you Jerry. Yes, the rule is wrong. The runner's stepping on the line had no effect on the outcome. Great kid, Elijah.
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16th Aug 2012 (#)
Silly rule - great kid, what a touching Olympic story.
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16th Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you Mark.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
Genuine compassion and sharing from a ten year old. He seems to have seen it all within his ten years! These make me believe the best is yet to be, Steve - siva
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
I agree. Thank you Siva.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
You've brought tears to my eyes. Kids are far more sensible than grown ups!
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
They are indeed. Thank you Val.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
Good story, wonderful little boy.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you Ivyevelyn. I appreciate your comment.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
lovely Steve! children see so much more than grownups..they have a knack to see what truly is...thank you and kudos to Elijah..
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25th Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you cnwriter.
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25th Aug 2012 (#)
Love this!!!!!!! Very inspiring
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25th Aug 2012 (#)
Than you Teila.
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