If you’re wondering why everyone is talking about Belgian shot putter Jolien Boumkwo, there’s an incredible story of the best kind of sportsmanship waiting for you!
Though it wasn’t her field of expertise, Boumkwo stepped in to ensure her team wouldn’t get disqualified. Here’s the full story!
Poland (29 June 2023) — Jolien Boumkwo rose to unexpected fame recently for all the right reasons. What began as the Belgian shot-putter doing her part to ensure her team got their chance to shine, soon spiralled into a showcase moment of sportsmanship and stepping in when it counts the most (even if you’re not prepared).
During the recent European Athletics Team Championships, Boumkwo found herself becoming the personification of ‘I’ve got my team’s back no matter what’. At the last minute, her team risked disqualification due to injured hurdlers. Not prepared to see their hard work go to waste, Boumkwo volunteered as tribute, opting to hop to task and tackle the 100-metre hurdle race in the experts’ absence.
Though shot put and hurdles both fall under athletics, they’re easily worlds apart. Still, Boumkwo—a 12-time national shot put champion in her country—outshone all the hurdles pros, purely because of her intention.
Watch: Shot Putter Jolien Boumkwo Jumps to New Heights to Save Her Team!
@europeanathletics She was a last minute injury replacement 🥺 #Athletics #trackandfield #Silesia2023 ♬ dźwięk oryginalny – European Athletics
“I was like: it would be a pity if just we would lose by one point so I will just take this on my account and just go for it and enjoy every moment,”— Jolien Boumkwo speaking with CNN.
Being slower or less experienced in the field hardly mattered. The joyful Boumkwo was the crowd favourite by far, reminding people around the world what sportsmanship looks like and why it matters so much even at the highest sporting levels.
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