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Australia’s Patrick Tiernan and Kenyan athlete Rhonex Kipruto before the race.Credit:Getty Images

Buried in the pack ran a lone Aussie – Patrick Tiernan – lean,lanky,bearded. He wouldn’t look out of place in an Aussie pub but he was keeping pace with the top runners of the world.

The final lap approached,the leaders quickened their stride. The finish line was in sight,then – drama! –Tiernan staggers and collapses in the final straight.

It’s gut-wrenching viewing to see this world-class athlete who has pushed himself to the limit and had his body betray him. For a moment we see an Olympic champion as a mere human like the rest of us,who has been conquered by the brutal reality of flesh and muscle.

But he doesn’t give up. Exhausted,dehydrated,Tiernan drags himself to his feet and forces his unwilling body to stagger across the finish line.

Judging by the outpouring of support for Tiernan after the race,our Olympic wins may swell our patriotic hearts,but these moments of pure endurance and courage unlock something deeper in our psyche.

It’s a classic underdog story with the high stakes of the Olympics thrown in for good measure.

And who doesn’t love a heart-warming Olympic fail,with a side helping of spirit? Think back to the 1990s filmCool Runnings,a box office hit with its fish-out-of-water tale,inspired by a true story,of the Jamaican bobsled team who competed at the Winter Olympics.

Speaking of fish,who doesn’t remember Eric the Eel? The swimmer from Equatorial Guinea had never seen an Olympic-sized swimming pool before the 2000 Sydney Olympics,but found fame and fans after winning his incredibly slow heat after his competitors were disqualified.

The famous win by Steven Bradbury in 2002.Credit:Reuters

When it comes to memorable moments,it’s hard to go past Steven Bradbury,the Aussie speed skater who snatched gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics after his rivals fell over in an epic pile-up – joy and disbelief mingled on his face as he whizzes over the finish line.

The Games,with their motto “faster,higher,stronger”,are about celebrating the best of the best in the pool,on the track and on the pitch.

But we need to also celebrate those who hit the wall,knock over the high jump pole,and fall to the floor.

Or maybe we can do both. Despite his collapse in the 10,000-metre final,Tiernan recorded his best time of the track and field season.

He’s back on the track on Tuesday night for the 5000-metre heat. And I’m sure,no matter the result,Australia will be cheering him on.

Emily Day is deputy opinion editor.

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