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In a heartwarming display of love and dedication, Dutch swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal has captured the hearts of millions by dedicating her Olympic gold medal to her late dog, Rio.
Competing in the women’s 10km marathon at the Paris Games, Rouwendaal’s emotional tribute has left pet lovers and sports fans alike deeply moved.
The 30-year-old athlete, who had expressed concerns about swimming in the Seine, pushed through to claim her victory with a time of 2 hours, 3.34 seconds. However, it wasn’t just the gold medal that made this moment special; it was the motivation behind it.
Rouwendaal revealed that she gave this race her all in memory of Rio, her beloved Pomeranian who passed away in May following complications from lung surgery.
As she emerged from the water, Rouwendaal pointed to and kissed a tattoo of Rio on her wrist, a gesture that symbolized her deep connection with the dog.
Rio was named after the city where Rouwendaal won her first Olympic gold in 2016. The loss of Rio had such a profound impact on her that she nearly gave up on swimming altogether.
However, with encouragement from her father, she decided to participate and dedicate her Paris Olympic journey to her late companion.
The emotional moment was captured and shared by the Instagram page WeRateDogs, where a video of Rouwendaal’s victory and post-race interview quickly went viral.
Fans flooded the comments section with support, sharing their own stories of loss and love for their pets.
The video showed Rouwendaal speaking through tears about how much Rio meant to her, which led the interviewer to give her a heartfelt hug.
Rouwendaal’s journey to gold was no easy feat, as she faced stiff competition from Australia’s Moesha Johnson, who finished with a silver, and Italy’s Ginevra Taddeucci, who claimed the bronze. Yet, it was Rouwendaal’s emotional dedication to Rio that stole the spotlight, reminding the world of the profound bond between pets and their owners.
As Rouwendaal stood on the podium with her gold medal, it was clear that this victory was more than just a win; it was a tribute to a friend who had always been by her side.
Rio may no longer be with her, but his memory continues to inspire her to reach new heights.
Click here to read about Beacon: the therapy dog melting hearts at the U.S. Olympic gymnast trials!
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