[View the story "Internet swoons for Spanish runner who helped competitor win" on Storify ]Internet swoons for Spanish runner who helped competitor win Storified by CBC News Community · Mon, Jan 21 2013 12:17:04
Elcorreo
Roughly onemonth ago, the 24 year old noticed that one of his competitors, Abel Mutai ofKenya, had become confused, stopping 10 metres short of the finish line because he thought the race was finished.
Mutai was asitting duck, oblivious to those crying out in Spanish that he should keepgoing - but when Fernandez closed in on Mutai, his sense of compassion overpoweredhis sense of competition.
In a now belovedphoto, Fernandez is seen patting Mutai on the back and prodding him tocontinue toward the actual finish line during the Dec. 2 cross country race inBurlada, Spain.
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The Spanishathlete, who described Mutai as the clear winner because he had been far ahead,stayed behind the Kenyan runner until he crossed the real finish line.
Carbonated
A fan-made video captures the critical moments.
Iván Fernández: una lección de deportividaddesolvidar
In the weeksthat followed, Fernandez saw his story gain momentum outside the Spanishmedia.
The athlete put the green shirt and red shortshe wore for the race up for auction on eBay with the intention of donating all proceeds to the RedCross, an organization he described as "one of the hardest working worldwide."
His website lauded the organization'sdedication to promoting peace and international cooperation, as well as mutualrespect and understanding among all the world's people.
The offer - which started at €300 - ended Monday after a week on thesite. The winning bid was €560 (roughly $740 Cdn.)
Equipación de Iván Fernández | eBayEl tiempo estimado de entrega depende del tiempo de manipulación del vendedor y del servicio de envío y la forma de pago seleccionados. L...
Despite some flak from his fans and his coach - who said the gesture "has made him a better person but not a better athlete" - the runner declares on his website that he still thinks he did the rightthing.
Indeed, his new friends and fans haveshown an outpouring of support, and Spanish media has described him as "the antithesis to Armstrong ."
This news about Ivan Fernandez Anaya is simply brilliant. Such athletes and their acts deserves more coverage in the news. Link below!Tatsam Mishra
"A gesture of honesty goes down well" -Ivan Fernandez Anaya (Basque Athlete)Marty L. Vargas
Let's stop talking about Lance Armstrong and give people like Iván Fernández Anaya the hero status they deserve.Andrew Allsop
RT @hashtaghashim: Ivan Fernandez Anaya... Get to know! (3/3) http://pic.twitter.com/BUmLmEs0Labibah
What do you make of Fernandez Anaya's decision? What would you think if an athlete you were backing sacrificed a win for the sake of fairness?
(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on reader replies)
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