American fighter Travis Stevens wholeheartedly embraced the Russian Halmurzaeva Hassan, gave him the Olympic gold, writes USA Today. As the newspaper notes, this case stands out against the prevailing negative attitude towards Russia at the international competitions in Rio.
Because of a doping scandal at the Olympics in Rio is dominated by a deep hostility towards Russia, writes USA Today. The audience react with disapproval at the appearance of some athletes, and the American swimmer Lilly king openly insulted his Russian rival before the race.
But when an American judoka Travis Stevens lost to the Russian Hassan Halmurzaeva gold, he genuinely and warmly embraced his opponent. As the newspaper notes, both athletes not only train together but consider each other brothers.
“Judo is different from other sports. It is more like a brotherhood, “says Stevens, who visited Russia and took part in trainings of the Russian team. – We want to achieve the best shape, so with whom to train, if not the best in the world? No matter who won, him or me, I’m happy for him“.
Getting the silver medal, the judoka could not restrain his emotions. Stevens has twice been close to lose the chance to compete at the Olympic games. First to go for two months he was forced to the concussion, then a severe infection where he almost lost his leg.
Although an athlete and have not received the desired result, his silver was the first medal for the U.S. in judo in 2004. “Hard not to cry after what I went through, “he admits. – You ask what meant this moment? All“.
