Belgian shot putter goes viral running hurdles to save team from disqualification

Belgian shot putter Jolien Boumkwo stepped out of her comfort zone, and onto the track, in order to save her team from disqualification.

The 29-year-old ran the 100-metre hurdles at the European Athletics Team Championships on Saturday in Poland, after her teammates pulled-out due to injury.

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[Phil-]

She won 2 points & saved her team from disqualification. She did her country proud!

[markeewell]

Loved the one competitor waiting for her to congratulate her finish. No one else did, but that one person demonstrated true sportsmanship.

[A.Kins]

Can we talk about her not knocking one hurdle down?! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[benjaminbotley]

The bravery to do something entirely out of your element is commendable. What a courageous athlete

[tmbee]

What I love most in this entire story is her CONFIDENCE. Not confidence that she would win but that she was self assured enough to look a bit silly, it was ok to lose and it didn't matter what others might think.

[jlfox]

She not only stepped up, she cleared all the hurdles! I know I couldn't do that. What a great person to represent the team!

[SpeccyMan]

She fully understands the meaning of being part of a team. It's not about if you win or lose, it's how you play the game. I hope the 2 points she won for her team were golden ones.

[JenniferDification]

She deserves sponsorships. This is PURE SPORTSMANSHIP. Wasn't her team, but she couldn't let them be disqualified over needing one more. Props!

[jeffclark]

Not only does she show respect for her team mates, she shows how to honor your country.

[musti]

Speeding up on the final sprint shows she actually still put some effort in it. Wasn't just a "let's get this over with" activity for her.

[maryskinner]

She stepped over the hurdles like a fairy gently landing on rose petals. Beautiful team mate. Hope teams from around the world learn from this young lady. ❤🇨🇦

[craigheitman]

That wasn’t “taking one for the team”… it was an incredibly selfless demonstration of what it means to be part of a team… kudos

[stonecoldcustoms]

"You only live once, just do it". Words to live by.

[thestraightroad]

This is humility. It’s not passive or weak. It’s bold, cheerful, selfless. Thank you to her for the example!

[jeremybueckert]

You can see even just looking at her next to the other hurdles she's literally not built for this event. She said I don't care my team needs me to do this, I don't care if I get blown away and laughed at I'm going to do what needs to be done for my team. That's what sports are about, this woman is an inspiration. She needs a shoe deal ASAP

[TheLoveOfHockey]

I know this is an old event, but I love her for this, such a great act of kindness for her teammates and a great example to future athletes.

[whenniceguysretaliate]

She's awesome and she cleared all the hurdles.

Much respect.

[lexbustamante]

She rather have her name go down in the record books as one of the slowest in that sport than let her country & team mates down. Nothing but respect and love.

[spiritofchaos]

This really shows how peak performance for one task isn't suited for another. She is an absolutely champ, just not in this specific field, and I love her for going for it anyway.

[ImmortalChaos]

What a beautiful display of athleticism (not knocking one of those hurdles down, stepping up in a different sport) and patriotism.