Rio Olympics 2016: Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D’Agostino win the Pierre de Coubertin medal for Spirit of True Sportsmanship
A PAIR of distance runners have been handed an Olympic medal that's even harder to get your hands on than a gold.
While swimmer Michael Phelps took his individual gold medal tally to 23 during the Rio Games, Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D'Agostino became only the 18th and 19th people EVER to win the Pierre de Coubertin medal.
The medal is given out to athletes and officials who exemplify sportsmanship at the Summer and Winter games.
Named after the founder of the modern games, it is also known as the True Spirit of Sportsmanship medal.
The Olympic Museum says "it is one of the noblest honours that can be bestowed upon an Olympic athlete."
In one of the most memorable moments of Rio, New Zealand 5,000m runner Hamblin gave up a chance of winning a medal to help an athlete she had collided with.
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Hamblin had accidentally brought down American D'Agostino in the race.
Rather than get up and race off, the American helped the New Zealander to her feet.
However, as they raced on it was clear that D'Agostino had injured her knee in the fall - Hamblin then decided to stop and stay at her side.
A wheelchair was then brought but the pair managed to finish the race together.
After winning the award, Hamblin said it was "overwhelming."
Who else has won the Pierre de Coubertin medal?
Luz Long, 1936 Summer Olympics (posthumous)
Gave advice to Olympic great Jesse Owens during the 1936 Games in Nazi Germany - Owens went on to win gold with Adolf Hitler watching. Long was later killed during the invasion of Italy in 1943.
Eugenio Monti, 1964 Winter Olympics
Italian bobsleigher lent the British team a bolt from his sled in the two-man competition. The Brits went on to win gold, with the Italain winning a bronze. He then did the same thing in the four-man competition, lending a bolt to the Canadian team. Again, Italy won bronze and Canada gold.
Franz Jonas, 1964 Winter Olympics
Former president of Austria was awarded for helping bring the Games to Innsbruck.
Karl Heinz Klee, 1976 Winter Olympics
An Olympic skier as well as a lawyer, he had fought for fellow Olympian Karl Schranz from exclusion at the 1972 Games and was also a Secretary General for the organising committee at the 1976 games.
Lawrence Lemieux, 1988 Summer Olympics
During the sailing, the Singapore team were thrown from their boat by heavcy wind. Canadian Lemieux spotted the sailors and pulled them from the water.
Justin Harley McDonald, 1994 Winter Olympics
As captain of the Australian bobsled team he lent five kilos of ballast to the Swedish team - who then beat the Australians.
Raymond Gafner, 1994 Winter Olympics
For services to the Olympics having been an ice hockey player, referee and member of the IOC.
Emil Zatopek, 1952 Summer Olympics (posthumous)
Awarded for his performance at the Helsinki Games where he won the 5,000m and 10,000m as well as the marathon in his first ever race at that distance.
Spencer Eccles, 2002 Winter Olympics
Financier and philanthropist was recognised for his critical contribution ot the Salt Lake winter games.
Tana Umaga, 2003 Rugby Test match
Former All Blacks captain stopped during a game to check on Wales captain Colin Charvis after he had been knocked out - placed Charvis in the recovery position.
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, 2004 Summer Olympics
The marathon runner was famously attacked by Irish priest Neil Horan while leading the race by 48 seconds with just two miles to run - he eventually finished third.
Elena Novikova-Belova, 2007 XI International Scientific Congress
The four-time gold medal winning fencer was handed the award for "outstanding services to the Olympic movment".
Shaul Ladany (achievements over four decades)
The Israeli Holocaust survivor and former Olmympian was given the medal for his sportsmanship over four decades.
Petar Cupac, Ivan Bulaja, Pavle Kostov, 2008 Summer Olympics
The Croation sailors won the award after lending their boat to the Danish team after their mast had broken - the Danes won gold.
Ronald Harvey, 2008 Summer Olympics
The Australian public servant was given the award for his "promotion of the Olympic spirt".
Richard Garneua, 2014 Winter Olympics (posthumous)
The sports journalist and commentator was given the medal for his work covering the Winter games over five decades.
Michael Hwang (exceptional services to Olympic movement)
Awarded for his work for the International Council of Arbitration for Sports, which operates the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"I think it’s very special for both Abbey and myself.
"I don’t think either of us woke up and thought that that was going to be our day, or our race, or our Olympic Games.
"Both of us are strong competitors and we wanted to go out there and do our best on the track.
"I was on the ground for too long to get back up and catch on to the pack.
"So then it becomes about finishing the race, and finishing the race well.
"I am so grateful to Abbey for picking me up, and I think many people would have returned the favour… Once you are on the track, there is a mutual understanding of what it takes to get there."