Ivan Fernandez Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in Navarra, Spain last month when his Kenyan opponent Adel Mutai – who was comfortably leading the race — suddenly pulled up short.
Adel Mutai was just a few feet from the finish line, but he was confused with the signage and stopped, thinking he had completed the race. The Spanish athlete, Ivan Fernandez was right behind him and realizing what was happening, started shouting at the Kenyan for him to continue running; but Mutai didn’t know Spanish and couldn’t understand. So Ivan literally pushed him to victory. A journalist asked him, “Why did you let the Kenyan win?” Ivan replied, “I didn’t let him win, he was going to win”. The journalist insisted again, “But you could have won!” Ivan looked at him and replied, “But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honor of that medal? What would my Mom think of that?”
