Turkey's Abeylegesse to receive fair play award for Berlin gesture - European Athletics (EAA) - NEWS
The Ethiopian-born Abeylegesse, who won silver at the 5000m and 10000m at the Beijing Games, gave Melkamu her spare pair of spikes just 15 minutes ahead of the 10000 final after the Ethiopian realized she had left her running shoes at her hotel.
Elvan Abeylegesse is to receive the Baron Pierre de Coubertin Trophy for fair play. ©EAA - European Athletics
Turkish distance runner Elvan Abeylegesse is to be awarded the Baron Pierre de Coubertin Trophy for 2009, the International Fair Play Committee has announced.
Two-time Olympic medallist Abeylegesse will receive the award on 27 March in Budapest after helping Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu at last year's World Championships in Berlin.
The Ethiopian-born Abeylegesse, who won silver at the 5000m and 10000m at the Beijing Games, gave Melkamu her spare pair of spikes just 15 minutes ahead of the 10000 final after the Ethiopian realized she had left her running shoes at her hotel.
Melkamu, 24, began to panic while waiting in the second call room before the start of the race. On learning of the situation, the 27-year-old Abeylegesse, who always brings two pairs of spikes to an event because of past injuries, offered her spare shoes to a grateful Melkamu.
Melkamu, who had to ask twice whether the offer was genuine, went on to win the silver medal in the race, while Abeylegesse did not finish.
