Friendship Over Victory

 I was watching the news last night and they ran a story about two young women who were competing for the national title and a go to the European finals in fencing.
Gaia was winning 12 to 9 against Emilia. As Gaia backed up, she fell and hurt her ankle. Emilia could have gone for the win but, with only a few seconds left, she realized that Gaia would have not been able to keep going and defend herself. So, Emilia decided to do what she thought was only fair: let the time run out and allow Gaia to keep her winning score. 

Emilia could have won the national title and go on to compete in the European finals. She chose friendship over victory. In a world where many are thinking of themselves, Emilia showed us integrity, compassion, and love. 

Below is the translated article from Quotidiano Nazionale.

Fencing, when friendship counts more than victory. A story of fair play and emotion
Gaia gets hurt in the final one step away from the Italian title, her rival Emilia does not attack her and gives up beating her: "Today she taught me a lot". And she bursts into tears

Vercelli, 16 April 2023 – There are golden defeats, gestures that are worth more than an Olympic medal because they remain in the heart forever. Like what the young swordswoman Emilia Rossati, from Ferrara, did yesterday: in the final for the Italian championship under 23 in Vercelli the national title and also a pass for the European Championships was played against her friend and rival Gaia Traditi, from Rome.
At one point Gaia slips and hurts her ankle. The first to help her is Emilia, then the doctors arrive. There are 17 seconds left in the match and Gaia is ahead 12-9 in the score. The blow is painful, Gaia is already in tears when she takes off her mask and receives first aid.
They put her back on her feet, but obviously she is not able to defend herself: she barely stands up. At that point Emilia decides in a moment to give up shooting, moves away from the opponent and lets the time pass, scoring the most winning of defeats. "I made this decision in agreement with my coach", says Emilia, "it was the right thing to do, I would do it a thousand more times".
Afterwards, tears flow with emotion, because Gaia is the first to understand the greatness of the gesture of fair play of the sporting rival: "Today this girl taught me that friendship is worth more than a victory". Not only to you, Gaia, not only to you.

I have to admit that this article (just like the TV news last night) brought tears to my eyes and a renewed sense of hope.