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10 alternative Rio Olympics heroes we should all treasure


By now, everybody knows plenty about the Usain Bolts, Andre De Grasses, Katie Ledeckys and Simona Biles of the Summer Games.

Let’s not forget about the other, less obvious Olympic superstars we could got to know in Rio.

AFP PHOTO/Jack GUEZ

Eri Tosaka, Wrestling

The Japanese celebrated her triumph in the 48 kilogram division by reversing tradition and hoisting her coach on to her shoulders for a lap of honour, at the end of which she flipped him on to his back.

Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Jeffrey Julmis, Hurdles

As the Haitian prepared to run in the 100-metre final, how Julmis relished his moment, behaving like a wannabe Usain Bolt, larking about for the cameras. His boastful self-introduction was somewhat compromised, however, when he fell over at the first hurdle.

AFP PHOTO/Martin BUREAU

Yusra Mardini, Swimming

Representing the Refugee Team, the Syrian teenager won her heat in the 100-metre butterfly just over a year after she swam for her life for more than three miles in the Mediterranean.

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Pita Nikolas Taufatofua, Flag bearer

The 32 year-old’s appearance at the opening ceremony made him an instant star. In the athletes parade, swinging Tonga’s national flag above his head, he was not only bare chested, but smothered in coconut oil.

AFP PHOTO/POOL

David Katoatau, Weightlifting

The big lad from Kiributi may have finished seventh in the 105kg division, but he will be remembered for his hip-swaying samba of celebration every time he lifted a weight.

Lars Baron/Getty Images

Mariya Stadnik, Wrestling

The Azerbaijani was but two seconds from gold in the 48kg freestyle division. Then she was flipped and grounded by her opponent. Poor Stadnik, it was the second Games in succession she had been defeated at the last. Distraught, she threw her silver medal to the ground on the way out of the hall.

AFP PHOTO/YASUYOSHI CHIBA

Gordon Benson, Triathlon

The third member of Britain’s team, his role was to protect the Brownlee brothers in the cycle ride. Unfortunately, he was left behind in the swim and had to pedal at dangerous speeds in a vain attempt to catch up the brothers. Too dangerous: he took a ferocious tumble at a corner and was obliged to retire.

AFP PHOTO/GOH Chai Hin

Andranik Karapetyan, Weightlifting

As he tried to hoist considerably more than his own bodyweight over his head during the 77kg category, the Armenian was sent falling backwards by the sheer weight on the bar.

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Abbey D’Agostini and Nikki Hamblin, Running

Three kilometres into their 5km race, the American D’Agostini clipped the heels of the New Zealander. The pair tumbled to the track. D’Agostini had badly twisted her ankle, but Hamblin stopped to help her up and both finished the race.

AFP PHOTO/John MACDOUGALL

Volunteers at the equestrian arena

The locals who came out to clear up the detritus left by horses were working for nothing. As they scooped up the mess, the IOC executive Patrick Hickey was allegedly selling his country’s ticket allocation to touts. We know who better represents the Olympic spirit.



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