But thoughts of winning were pushed aside by compassion when New Zealand's Nikki Hamblin tripped and fell on the track causing Abbey to collide with her.
 
As she pulled herself up, Abbey didn't just start running again, she bent down and helped Nikki to her feet, encouraging her to finish the race.
 
But then, just meters later in the race, according to the KFOR NBC report, Abbey collapsed with what was later found to be a torn ACL.
 
This time it was Nikki Hamblin who wouldn't leave her rival's side, urging her to continue the race. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images/via KFOR)
 
Finally Abbey told Nikki to go on without her; the American eventually hobbling across the finish line "a full two minutes after the winner."
 
But Abbey's benevolent act of kindness made a huge impression on Nikki as she later said, "I'm so grateful for Abbey doing that for me. That girl is the Olympic spirit right there." 

Watch a video of the race, and how Abbey helped Nikki up, by clicking here.
 
Later on a tweet from Nikki, shared by Jonathan Gault, went viral on what else the New Zealand runner said about her competitor, Abbey D'Agostina:
 
"When I went down, I was like, 'What's happening, why am I on the ground?' And suddenly there's this hand on my shoulder like, 'Get up, get up, we have to finish this.' And I'm like, 'Okay, yep, yep, you're right, it's the Olympic Games, we have to finish this.' I'm so grateful for Abbey for doing that for me. I mean, that girl is the Olympic spirit right there.
 
"I finished and I had a lonely last four laps but she ran four and a half laps barely being able to run. I'm so impressed and inspired that she did that. I've never met her before. Like, I've never met this girl before. And isn't that just so amazing? That's an amazing moment. Regardless of the race and the result on the board, that's a moment that you're never, ever going to forget. The rest of [my] life, it's going to be that girl shaking my shoulder like, 'Come on, get up.' And I really hope she's okay. And I know that she's young and she's going to have so many more opportunities. And being such a good human being, she's going to go so far."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'Abundant Life': Study Finds Bible-Reading Is Better Self-Care Than Exercise

A New Low: Doctors Are Now Making the Case for Death by Organ Donation

Trump Administration Launches Anti-Predator Initiative for Schools K-12

US Targeting Islamic Republic Army Bases, Strikes IRGC Nuclear Town; People of Iran React to Sen. Graham's Death

Cause of Death Revealed for Lindsey Graham, Pro-Life Champion and Strong Defender of Israel

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71

'The Way, The Truth and The Life': Direct Descendant of Muhammad Now Follows Jesus

Food for Thought: The Rich Do Not Get Rich at Expense of the Poor [Video]

Mamdani Erases Little Italy ... and (Of Course) the Jews

A Lesson from King David, and a Call to Prayer from Give Him 15

Prayer Alert: Israel Has Informed the US of Another Specific Plot to Assassinate Donald Trump

Marco Rubio Steps in After Tim Walz Pardoned Illegal Alien Child Rapist before Deportation

Prosecutors Present Texts of Alleged Confession by Tyler Robinson in Hearing for Charlie Kirk Murder

'The Resurrection and the Life': Navy Vet Comes Back to Life After Family Prays

Are Weight Loss Medications Right for You? Pros and Cons of GLP-1s

Company Issues Voluntary Recall of This Specific Kind of 'Pedigree' Canned Dog Food

Prayer Alert: Hundreds of Thousands of Acres Burn as Fires Spread in West

HHS Announces $281 Million to Expand Addiction and Mental Health Programs

Results: In Turkey, Trump Ordered a Trade Halt with Spain, Now They've Suddenly Agreed to Boost NATO Payments

As Billboards Promoting 'Birth Tourism' Pop Up Along Border, Trump to Ask SCOTUS to Reconsider 'Insane Decision' in Birthright Citizenship Case