A herogram for Simon Whitfield

A Costa Rican triathlete has touched the hearts of thousands of people with his herogram to Simon Whitfield. Leonardo Chacon introduces himself to the Canadian Olympic champion as "the athlete that fell down behind you on the competition on Tuesday."

Whitfield broke his collarbone in the cycling portion of the race. Chacon kept going and finished 48th. He told Whitfield in a Facebook message that the Canadian has been an inspiration to him since Whitfield won gold in Sydney "when I was 15. "A couple years later, silver in Beijing. Now, at my 27 years of age, these were my first Olympic Games and it was an honor to race next to you.

"I also wanted to thank you for being an example of endurance and discipline which have allow you to compete to the highest level in 4 Olympic Games." Chacon invited Whitfield to visit Costa Rica.

Thousands of people have read and liked Chacon's message. Comments praised his sportsmanship and pledged to root for him at the 2016 Games in Rio. Whitfield himself said in a Twitter post right after the competition that he had met Chacon in the Olympic Village and gave him a hug.

Costa Ricans have also taken to Facebook to criticize and apologize for a countryman who had scolded Whitfield for ruining Chacon's chances in the triathalon. The Costa Rican athlete had been 18th after the swim portion.

AFP Getty Images/ Leonardo Chacon gets up after crashing into Canadian Simon Whitfield during the men's triathalon at the London Games on Aug. 8

Comments

[Stew]

I pray this amazing Olympian is nominated for the Pierre de Coubertin award.