I’m stealing this story from Facebook because the message is so powerful it needs to be shared. The post is credited to Bert A. Tundidor and Kyle R. Taylor.
Kenyan runner Abel Mutai was just a few feet from the finish line, but became confused with the signage and stopped, thinking he had completed the race. A Spanish runner, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realizing what was happening started shouting at the Kenyan to continue running. Mutai didn’t understand Spanish didn’t understand. Realizing what was taking place Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory.
A journalist asked Ivan, “Why did you do that?” Ivan replied, “My dream is the someday we can have the kind of community where we push and help each other to win.” The journalist insisted, ” But why did you let the Kenyan win?” Ivan replied, “I didn’t let him win, he was going to win. The race was his.” The journalist insisted and, again asked, “But you could have won!” Ivan looked at him and replied. “But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be honor in that medal? What would my mother think of that?”
Values are passed from generation to generation. What values are we teaching our children? Let us not teach our kids the wrong ways and means to win. Instead, let us pass on the beauty and humanity of a helping hand. Because honesty and ethics are WINNING!
Thanks for sharing this powerful message that hit close to home. I wish I had always shown the grace of Ivan Fernandez. In a heated rivalry game one day against Tennessee State, I sat on my bucket and benefited from a huge mistake made by the umpires. I saw the mistake, knew it was the wrong call and didn’t do a thing. I regret it to this day!
