This archive report was first published on 28 September 2019.
On a dramatic day at the World Championships in Doha, a heartwarming display of sportsmanship stole the show. Unheralded runners Braima Suncar Dabo of Guinea-Bissau and Jonathan Busby of Aruba drew the biggest cheer of the event after a remarkable finish to their 5,000-metre heat.
Published on September 28, 2019, the dramatic finish unfolded at Doha's Khalifa Stadium, where both Dabo and Busby had already been lapped and were competing only for pride.
Busby, 33, had slowed to almost a crawl down the back straight on the final lap, appearing close to collapse. It was then that Dabo, 26, came to his rescue, stopping to prop him up and leading him around the final 200 metres to the finish line.
With the crowd roaring them on, Busby collapsed after crossing the line and was eventually taken away in a wheelchair. Dabo's selfless act was met with widespread acclaim, with the Guinean athlete saying, "I just wanted to help the guy finish the race."
Despite the finish, Dabo's time of 18min 10.87sec was still a personal best. However, there was a sting in the sporting tail for Busby, who was disqualified.
