4 Heartwarming Moments From The Rio Olympics So Far
1. THIS Photo Is What The Olympics Is All About
She turned 43 this week, making her one of the oldest athletes in Rio. But that didn’t stop Kirstin Armstrong from taking out the gold in the cycling individual time trial yesterday.
And the photo taken of Armstrong embracing her five-year-old son has become emblematic of the Olympic spirit.
US cyclist Armstrong suffered a nosebleed during the race, and after she crossed the finishing line, she looked around to ask: “Did I win?”
Upon confirmation that she had taken out gold - her third Olympic gold medal - she collapsed on the ground. After being checked by paramedics, Armstrong looked up to see her young son.
Later, she told National Public Radio that she hoped her win would be an inspiration for other mothers.
"I think that for so long we've been told that we should be finished at a certain age. And I think that there's a lot of athletes out there that are actually showing that that's not true.
"For all the moms out there, I hope that this was a very inspiring day."
2. Watch Kyle Chalmers' Grandparents Celebrate His Gold Medal Swim
Sitting in their living room in South Austraila, Malcolm and and Julie Bagnell cheered, screamed and cried tears of joy as their beloved grandson Kyle Chalmers swam his way to gold at the Rio Olympics.
The 18-year-old, who put his exams on hold to follow his dreams, made history when he came out of nowhere to take the men’s 100m freestyle.
"It's gold, it's gold," Mr Bagnell cheered, jumping from his seat and planting a kiss on his wife’s lips.
Chalmers is the first Aussie man to win the 100m freestyle since 1968, and only the fourth to ever do so.
Speaking after the race, the teen said he couldn’t have been happier.
"It's awesome. I didn't have any more to give," he said. "But there's mixed emotions. It's hard winning and him (McEvoy) not swimming his best."
"It's definitely still sinking in I have actually won... I faded towards the end there especially when I got under the flags, I was worried I glided too long at that finish."
3. Brazilian Rugby Player Surprised With Proposal After Olympic Final
In case you missed it, the Australian team WON the Rugby 7s Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics. Kind of a big deal.
While their athletic achievement was absolutely golden (oh, the puns) it was an act of love on the sidelines that has melted hearts around the globe.
Brazilian rugby player Isadora Cerullo watched the game with her eliminated team, but got the surprise of her life when her girlfriend took to the field as the crowds dispersed after official proceedings.
Marjorie Enya, a Rio volunteer and manager at the venue, grabbed the microphone and delivered an emotional speech before the couple ran to each other for a tearful embrace.
"As soon as I knew she was in the squad I thought I have to make this special," Enya told BBC Sport.
"I know rugby people are amazing and they would embrace it," she added, and claimed she had not been nervous about popping the question so publicly to her partner of two years.
"She is the love of my life," she said.
The adorable couple live in Sao Paulo, where Cerullo moved to focus her attention on making the Brazil squad for the Olympics.
"The Olympic Games can look like closure but for me it's starting a new life with someone," said Enya. "I wanted to show people that love wins."
It certainly does!
4. This Story Of A Stranger Helping A Father Is What The Olympics Is All About
It’s the kind of story that perfectly illustrates the Olympic spirit.
Liz Willock had missed her flight to Philadelphia, so she caught a cab from the airport to her hotel. On the way, the blonde started chatting with her Uber driver, Ellis Hill.
They talked about how he came to be an Uber driver, and then moved on to the Olympics, when Willock mentioned that she knew someone who was competing at Rio.
But Hill had an even better story. He revealed that his son, Darrell, was competing as a shot-putter.
He explained that he couldn't wait to see his son compete on TV, as he couldn't afford the plane ticket to Rio.
“It was devastating to hear that," Ms Willock told People. "Here's this wonderful man who has a close relationship with his son and I know any parent would want to see their son or daughter compete at the Olympics.”
So when Willock exited the car, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She set up a GoFundMe page with a fundraising goal of $7500, according to The Washington Post - and just two days later had met her target.
Needless to say, Hill was overwhelmed. “People are people, so until they do something different, you expect the best out of people,” he said. “It’s an awesome thing.”
It's a sentiment shared by his son, Darrell, 22. “This is my first Olympic Games and I'm 22 years old. Just being able to share this first experience with my dad means the world."
Darrell competes in the shotput in Rio this Thursday.
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