FANS LAUD OLYMPIC GAMES ATHLETE FOR GRACIOUS ACT AFTER LOSING GOLD TO TEAM GB'S ALEX YEE JUST 200 METRES FROM THE FINISH LINE
- Fans have lauded New Zealand's Hayden Wilde
- The Kiwi was pipped to gold by Alex Yee
- But Wilde was gracious in defeat in Paris
New Zealand's Hayden Wilde saw an historic Olympic Games triumph snatched from him just 200 metres from the line.
But the gracious Kiwi had nothing but kind words to say about his rival, Alex Yee, who ousted him in a dramatic finish in Paris.
With the finish line in sight, Britain's Yee - who took silver in Tokyo three years ago - kicked into another gear and strode past Wilde, who had enjoyed a substantial lead for much of the 10,000 metre final leg.
Yee crossed the finish line four seconds ahead of his rival, but rather than express his disappointment in seeing victory slip through his fingers, Wilde collapsed into the Briton for an emotional and heartfelt hug.
The newly-crowned Olympic champion described Wilde as a 'mate and rival' and said he was grateful to be competing against him.
'I have worked for three years for this one goal and it's really special to be here,' he said.
'I am so grateful to have Hayden to have those amazing battles.'
Wilde was aiming to make history in Paris and become the first Kiwi in 20 years to win gold in the men's triathlon.
He put in a controlled performance from the start but had no complaints to see Yee pip him for gold.
'It was a hearty solid race and the best man won. I did the best I could,' Wilde told Nine.
'I put everything into this. It was amazing.'
Read more 2024-07-31T14:29:12Z