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Christophe Simon / AFP - Getty Images
France's Camille Abilly looks on as Japan celebrates their victory at the end of their women's football semi final Japan vs France event at Wembley stadium during the London 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 6, in London. Japan won 2-1.
Damir Sagolj / Reuters
France's Camille Abilly is consoled by a player from Japan after Japan defeated France in the women's semi-final soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London at the London Olympic Games, on Aug. 6.
Christophe Simon / AFP - Getty Images
Japan's Aya Miyama chats with dejected France player Camille Abilly at the end of their women's football semi final Japan vs France event at Wembley stadium during the London 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 6, in London.
It is not often you see players of opposing teams going out of their way to console one another after a game has ended. Their interaction is usually limited to a friendly handshake or pat on the back.
These images of Japan's Aya Miyama comforting France's Camille Abilly, after Japan defeated France 2-1 in a close semi-final match, stood out from other post-game reaction photos. While we have no way of knowing what words were exchanged between the players (and we can only assume there was a bit of a language barrier between them), their body language speaks for itself. It is clear Miyama took time to try and comfort the distraught Abilly, and Abilly seems to eventually accept her kind gesture.
In such intense competitions, where emotions run high with adrenaline, it is reassuring to know that these Olympians are not only extraordinary athletes, but show true sportsmanship as well.
Editor's note: This post has been updated to correctly identify the Japanese player consoling France's Abilly. It is actually midfielder Aya Miyama, not Azusa Iwashimizu.
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Damir Sagolj / Reuters
France's Camille Abilly is consoled by Japan's Aya Miyama, after Japan defeated France in the women's semi-final soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London at the London Olympic Games, on Aug. 6.
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Click for more from the 2012 summer games in London.
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It wasn't Azusa Iwashimizu. It was Japan's captain Aya Miyama, as you can see by her armband. And there was not much of a barrier language: Miyama and Abily were team-mates when playing in USA, in LOs Angeles SOL, some years ago, and they can decently communicate in english. They became good friends at Los Angeles SOL, and that's why Miyama chooses to console Camille Abily more than anyone else. This doesn't make her sportmanship less admirable, but it's from a good friend to a good friend, not between two complete strangers.
By the way Miyama is known for having done the same after the final of Women's World Championship 2011, when she soothed USA goalkeeper Hope Solo (another former team-mate), after winning the cup with Japan vs USA.
Thanks for the heads up info I went back & re-looked! Amazing display of sportsmanships related to friendship. One of them should definitely be picture of the week, year & role model poster for anyone who plays a sport! AWESOME PHOTOS!
Thanks for the info. From the third picture above it sure looked like these two knew each other pretty well and were not strangers. Of course that does not detract from the sportsmanship being displayed. It must be difficult when you are put in a situation where you are competing against friends as well as former, and I would imagine in some cases even current teammates. Many of the players on national sports teams in major sports like soccer, basketball, etc. play together in their respective sport's pro leagues.
I would also say that it is very much a cultural thing for the Japanese that they do not throw losses in their opponents faces and tend to be very cordial and conciliatory with their opponents. It is a point of honor in the Japanese culture to show respect, even for opponents you defeat.
Is really even simpler than that. They are true Olympians in talent, thought and deed.
Even if they do know each other, it is unlikely that Hope Solo would try to console someone she knew on another team.
Why use this positive moment to criticize Hope Solo? Do you know her? If not, why speculate?
Solo revealed her conversation with Aya Miyama before and after the World Cup final last year on David Letterman show (07/19/11). US women soccer players are popular n well respected in Jpn too. Wambach visited northern part of Japan this yr, and gave soccer classes to kids in the area. Unfortunately soccer is not as popular in the US (as it's called soccer), but glad to see both US and Jpn in final match again. They are true olympians and deserve more respect.
It wasn't Azusa Iwashimizu (#3), it was Japan's captain Aya Miyama (#8), as you can clearly see by the captain's armband, and there was not a so big language barrier between them. Miyama and Abily were team-mates in USA, in a club called LOs Angeles SOL, some years ago, and they can decently communicate in english. When they were team-mates, they became very good friends, and that's probably the reason why Miyama consoles Abily in particular, instead of another player. That doesn't make her sportmanship less admirable, but it's something from good-friend to good-friend, not between two complete strangers.
Also, Miyama is well known for having done something very similar after the final of the Women's World Cup 2011, won by Japan over USA, when she soothed GK Hope Solo (another former team-mate when she was playing in USA), before celebrating the victory with her japanese team-mates.
(Sorry for double-posting, I wasn't sure if the first post had worked)
Thanks for your keen eye in spotting the misidentified Japanese player (as well as for the background information on her and Abilly), blissett. You are correct, it is in fact Aya Miyama. The photographer had identified her as Azusa Iwashimizu. I have updated our post and will be alerting the photo agency, so they can correct it for their records, as well.
Maybe it is even double the sportsmanship, since the photos show TWO DIFFERENT players consoling the French player! Please make sure that both players are labeled correctly! They don't even look that much alike with the color and length of their hair being different, but the captain's armband says it all.
It is Kozue Ando (#7) who is consoling Camille Abilly in the second photo. Ando, who plays for the club in Duisburg, Germany, appears in the first photo, too.
Really?
Anyone at NBC every edit this stuff before they just slap it up on the web?
How about a French player is consoled by a Japanese player...
I understand the photographer is not a native English speaker but I ASSUME someone at NBC speaks English.
And actually went to college.
Not sure what this "contribution" is supposed to be, but the "France" and "Japan" references are to the teams, not the countries. Really.
I think you may have missed the "sportsmanship" part.
Every edit? You mean ever edit? Don't it suck when you call someone out and wind up screwing the pooch yourself?
Karma's a bitch, ain't it.... heh.
Yes...a good example of sportsmanship. I am always impressed with the Japanese Women's Football team. They play with a sense of class and purpose that exemplifies the Olympic ideals that we are all supposed to strive for.
Now, if only the Japanese Olympic Committee allows them to fly back to Japan in business or first class.
its soccer, not football
" ... its soccer, not football ... "
Actually it is football. Only in America is it not called football. After all, in this game, no one on the field can use their hands to advance the ball. Except the Goalies. They must "kick" the ball with their feet. Thus it is quite properly called "football".
Unlike American "football" where most of the time the hands are used to advance the ball. And the feet are used very little. And "soccer" pre-dates "football" by many, many years. It may even pre-date America.
Americans, ignorant as well as arrogant.
George: Thank you for generalizing all Americans... a lot of us know that it is football and aren't arrogant at all...
Ummm... It's "calcio" (kick) in Italian... so not only American's who don't call it "football"
I agree dave its a long flight from LA to tokyo let alone london to tokyo :)
Even if they are friends its still a good show of sportsmanship
Touching. This IS the Olympics. It's nice to forget all the commercialism, if even for just a few seconds.
True sportsmanship
In the men's gold medal match for badminton, Malaysia's player hit the birdie out, but the referee called it in. During the next volley, the Malaysian player intentionally hit the birdie into the net to even up the error.
Now THAT is cool.
They don't call it 'The Beautiful Game' for nothin'! :)
Another nice gesture was seen in the USA-Canada game when one of the US players was hurt and the Canadians kicked the ball out of bounds to buy her some time to get up. It appeared that the Americans then kicked the ball downfield to the Canadian goalie to return the favor. Brilliant game altogether, but nice to see such sportsmanship.
@Independent voter-446877:
That is actually pretty common in the world of football, although sporting nonetheless. The ball is always given back to the team that knocked the ball out of play for the injury. Also, if the ref stops play for an injury, the resulting drop-ball is always kicked back to the team who had possession when the whistle was blown.
What made the USA-Canada game a little different, is that the US had a chance to kick the ball out of play themselves, but chose to play on. Canada did not have to feel compelled to kick the ball out, since the US was willing to play on. But they did anyways, in a show of true sportsmanship. And in doing so, they gave up an opportunity to score another goal that could have seen them through to the final. So, congratulations to Canada for a game well played, and for continuing to be our honorable and gracious neighbors!
Canadians are really just the nicest people. I am sometimes bewildered when I travel there by how kind and helpful they are to strangers.
In the US, true sportsmanship is settling for the $90 million contract instead of holding out for nine figures. Also, it's when a player apologizes to the referee he choked after a bench-clearing brawl.
My Pride.
This is what I call sportsmanship!
LOVE them for their dedication, sportsmanship, and empathy.
One of the many reasons I respect Japan and its wonderful people.