The Real Winner Didn't Come in First

Sometimes the biggest sports stories are overshadowed. It's October and that means college football, the NFL and the World Series. Easy to miss lesser sports, but despite intoxicating coverage of bigger sports an incredible act of sportsmanship and character poked through the sunny skies of Hawaii earlier this month.

The Ironman Triathlon is held each year in Kona, Hawaii. These amazing men and women swim (2.4 miles) in the Pacific, then bike (112 miles) and finish the competition with a 26.2 mile run. Britain's Chrissie Wellington won her 2nd consecutive title in the women's competition this year. But the real story is about fellow competitor, Rebekah Keat (pictured). Wellington probably wouldn't have won without the heroic and generous act of the 31-year old Australian.

On the 112 mile bike leg, Wellington was five minutes out in front of her closest competitor when she had a flat tire. Reaching for her emergency can of air she discovered the canister was empty. As competitors came racing by Wellington was soon five, then ten minutes behind the rest of the field. Keat stopped and gave Wellington her air canister. It didn't take long for the British star to get back in the race. It didn't take long for the repeat champ to blow by the field in the marathon. She crossed the finish line in 9 hours, 6 minutes and 23 seconds. She got the trophy but the real winner in this race was Rebekah Keat who finished 6th overall. Wellington noted that Keat was a "legend" and that her act of care "epitomises everything about the Ironman."

Jesus commended the charity of the least likely of helpers in Luke's gospel when he told the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Remember, the priest and the rabbi (the one's His audience expected to render aid) passed by the victim, leaving the "unclean" Samaritan to help the man in need. And the rest is history, the Samaritan became "Good" and through Jesus redefined the Jewish definition of "neighbor". Pointing to the Samaritan's example, Jesus said, "You go, and do likewise."

People train all year for the Ironman competition. This is a solo sport. Don't think for a minute these athletes think about giving anything up to the competition. That's what makes Rebekah Keat's act of charity all the more extraordinary. We would do well to follow her example and help those around us who are in need. Call it "pay it forward", random acts of kindness, charity gone wild, or whatever you want, I can't help but think Jesus was smiling as Keat passed her air canister to the reigning Ironman champ and her fellow competitor. I'll bet He even whispered from heaven to the prima dona, self-centered, high drama athletes that get too much coverage and to us: "You go and do likewise."