Tatsiana Klimovich

The bus breaks down. A guy from Belarus is on it, on the way to race a rowing final. What to do?

The bus breaks down. A guy from Belarus is on it, on the way to race a rowing final. What to do?

Instead, in one of the hugely untold stories of these Paris Olympics, in a move of empathy and understanding that underscores the common humanity that at its core is the essence of the Olympic spirit, the notion that together we are better than apart and that everyone, everyone, deserves a chance no matter the considerable differences ripping at us in a world torn by conflict, World Rowing pushed back the start of the Olympic final in men’s single sculls for one full hour.

Yauheni Zalaty not only got to the race.

He won silver.

But this, as amazing as it is, and it is amazing, only starts to tell the story.