Olympics - Diving athletes, tearful embraces and the derny guy: 11 unlikely heroes from Rio 2016

Updated 22/08/2016 at 12:56 GMT

Forget Usain Bolt and Simone Biles, we celebrate the unknown heroes from the Rio 2016 Olympics…

Hamblin

Image credit: Eurosport

1. Derny hero

You hated him; we hated him. How hard is it to ride a motorised vehicle - aka the 'derny; - around a track without being overtaken? Twice the men’s keirin final was restarted; twice we fumed at the useless Derny driver.

But we’ve since changed our mind. The poor bloke single-handedly raised the profile of the keirin – a quite frankly ridiculous event – and became an Olympic legend in the process. Plus it's hardly his fault if people swoop past him.

Rio 2016

When Eurosport met Anthony Joshua

00:03:41

28/10/2017 at 12:50

Mate, we salute you.

2. Shaunae Miller

Shaunae Miller

Image credit: Reuters

Expect grazed knees and elbows to become a staple of athletics in the future.

The Bahamas athlete was so desperate to win the 400m title that she flung herself across the finish line to pip American great Allyson Felix – providing a memorable photo finish in the process. Some people called it unsporting, but we couldn't disagree more.

3. Nikki Hamblin…

4. …and Abbey D'Agostino

Nikki Hamblin (NZL) of New Zealand stops to help Abbey D'Agostino (USA) of USA

Image credit: Reuters

Derek Redmond: the sequel.

When New Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin fell over during her 5000m heat after being tripped, she inadvertently took American Abbey D’Agostino with her. Then something remarkable happened.

Hamblin

Image credit: Eurosport

"Get up, get up! We have to finish this," D’Agostino told her new best friend. After reciprocating the concern, Hamblin jogged to the finish where she waited for a hobbling D’Agostino. Cue a touching hug (and the nonsense line 'faith restored in humanity').

But, seriously, if ever a moment embodied Olympic spirit, this was it.

5. Laurine van Riessen

Laurine van Riessen of the Netherlands defying gravity.

Image credit: Reuters

In one of the greatest examples of bike navigation ever witnessed, Dutch rider Laurine van Riessen rode her bike along an advertising hoarding… and stayed upright.

It was a truly magnificent manoeuvre to avoid a certain crash and one that will be etched in velodrome history forever.

6. Yohann Diniz

Yohann Diniz durant le 50km marche des JO de Rio

Image credit: AFP

Quitting is not an option.

That was the take-home message from Yohann Diniz’s exploits in the men’s 50km race walk, where he collapsed with an unfortunate stomach issue, fainted… and still finished eighth.

Shamefully, many people with a fraction of his commitment mocked him mercilessly on social media. He should instead be remembered for his refusal to give up. After all, that's what the Olympics is about.

7. Thiago Braz da Silva

Thiago Da Silva

Image credit: AFP

His task was impossible: beat pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie and win a first athletics gold for Brazil in Rio.

And yet Thiago Braz da Silva smashed his lifetime best by 11 centimetres to set a new Olympic record and send a partisan crowd into delirium.

8. Joshua Buatsi

Great Britain's Joshua Buatsi celebrates winning against Uganda's Kennedy Katende

Image credit: AFP

Reporter: "Who has impressed you the most at the Olympics, Joshua?"

*pause*

Buatsi: "I’m not being funny, but I’m most impressed with myself."

Yep, his own BRONZE medal in the light-heavyweight boxing surpassed all else. What a man.

9. Jeffrey Julmis

One of the main skills hurdlers must practice is actually clearing the hurdles. Sadly, Haitian 110m hurdler Jeffrey Julmis didn’t get the message.

Jeffrey Julmis

Image credit: AFP

Julmis comically crashed straight into the opening barrier as his Olympic dream instantly faded. But instead of walking off the track, he dusted himself off and finished the race.

It was slow, yes, but also brilliant.