Tokyo 2025: when helping a competitor became the real victory

Tim Van de Velde’s act of sportsmanship at Tokyo 2025 shows the true meaning of athletics: compassion, unity, and fair play.

At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Tim Van de Velde showed that greatness in sports isn’t measured solely by medals or times. During the 3000-meter steeplechase heat, the Belgian athlete experienced a fall that effectively ruined his race. With the finish line just meters away and his participation compromised, Van de Velde made a decision few would have chosen: he decided to do what was right.

A choice that transcends competition

Behind him, Colombian runner Carlos San Martin was struggling to complete the race, also affected by a fall and the sheer physical strain. Van de Velde turned back without hesitation, offering support. Arm in arm, the two athletes crossed the finish line last but together, drawing cheers from the stadium crowd and admiration across social media.

A gesture “naturally”

Van de Velde, 25, described his action as “a natural gesture.” He explained that his fall had already eliminated any chance of qualifying, but when he saw another athlete in trouble, he instinctively went back to help. He emphasized, “It was just a nice gesture, nothing more.” Yet, the gesture’s impact was immense, showing the world the true meaning of sport: unity and compassion often outweigh victory.

In the end, Van de Velde and San Martin finished in tenth place, separated by just 0.01 seconds. Yet, in moments like these, the stopwatch becomes secondary to values such as solidarity, fair play, and respect. Their actions reminded both seasoned fans and newcomers that sports can be as much about personal and moral growth as it is about winning.

A universal message: this is what sport is

Van de Velde’s choice remains one of the most memorable images of the Tokyo Championships. Supporting a fellow athlete in distress, even at the cost of personal success, embodies the purest essence of sport: seeing beyond oneself and choosing what is right.

In a race filled with falls and exhaustion, the most authentic meaning of athletics emerged. It’s not about winning or simply participating—it’s about sharing, supporting, and running side by side, even in the toughest moments. Van de Velde and San Martin remind us that sport can be poetry: to run does not always mean to finish first, but sometimes to extend a hand to someone in need.

Sourcee: EuroAthletics/X