Bhutan’s Kinzang Lhamo receives standing ovation in Sunday’s marathon at the Olympics despite last-place finish

Lhamo is a member of the Royal Bhutanese Army and the only athlete to represent Bhutan.

Bhutan’s Kinzang Lhamo receives standing ovation in Sunday’s marathon at the Olympics despite last-place finish

Kinzang Lhamo (Via Open Source/X)

The true spirit of sportsmanship was on full display on Sunday in the marathon at the Paris Olympics as Bhutan’s Kinzang Lhamo pushed past her limits and completed the race despite placing towards the end of the pack. While she did not earn a medal or a podium finish, Lhamo won the hearts of people with her determination.

Kinzang Lhamo finished the hilly and rough terrain race in 3 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds. As she approached the final kilometer, Lhamo was greeted by cheers and claps from fans standing on either side of the track to lift her spirit up and encourage her to finish the race. It was an uplifting sight to see.

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While Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands won the gold by setting a record of 2 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds in Paris, Lhamo remained persistent and 90 minutes after Hassan reached the finish. Lhamo had slowed her pace down to a walk, she had the option to withdraw, give up, and not finish the race.

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After all, hopes of winning a medal no longer existed. But she did it to prove something to herself and to make her country proud.

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Kinzang Lhamo was the sole woman representing Bhutan in Paris

Lhamo’s determination and never-give-up attitude come from her experience serving in the military. Despite the setback, she was not going to withdraw from her first international competition. The energy of the crowd as Lhamo approached the finish line was electric. It came as no surprise to see that after seeing that outburst of support, the athlete was able to muster up enough energy to run to the finish line.

Bhutan's Kinzang Lhamo
Kinzang Lhamo (Via Open Source/X)

As Lhamo approached the final stretch, some of the spectators began to run alongside her behind the barriers to keep motivating her. It is not unusual to see the last place finisher receive the loudest of cheers. While competing is about winning medals, at times, it is not entirely about that. It is about pushing yourself to give your best, to keep going even when your body shows signs that it can no longer go on.

Kinzang Lhamo is a 26-year-old marathoner that specializes in ultra-marathon, where the runner has to run across mountains. She took part in the Showmany Race in 2022 and qualified for the Olympics. She was the only woman from Bhutan to represent her nation at the biggest stage in sports.

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