The most inspirational moment of the Games so far? US and New Zealand runners HELP each other finish the race after fall during 5,000m 

Two athletes have provided one of the most inspirational moments of the Rio Olympics so far when they tripped over each other in the women's 5,000 metres - then helped one another to carry on.

American Abbey D'Agnostino and Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand were 3,000m into the race today when D'Agnostino appeared to clip Hamblin's heel, sending both tumbling to the ground.

But instead of appearing frustrated that their dreams of glory were apparently over, both women put on a display of the Olympic spirit that will live on long after the Games are over. 

American Abbey D'Agnostino (right) and Nikki Hamblin (left) of New Zealand were 3,000m into the race when D'Agnostino appeared to clip Hamblin's heel, sending both tumbling to the ground

D'Agnostino badly twisted her ankle in the tumble but she was able to summon enough strength to finish the race

Despite finishing the race in the two last places, both women embraced as though they'd won gold and silver

D'Agnostino, 24, immediately got up to help her rival - then, as it became clear that she had a right ankle injury, Hamblin tried to help her continue.

Both athletes attempted to start chasing after the pack that had left them. But D'Agostino could not keep going as her knee had apparently twisted awkwardly in the fall.

She told Hamblin to go on as she collapsed on to all fours on the track. But the camera then came back to D'Agostino and she was back on her feet and running again.

Almaz Ayana won the heat in 15:04.35, and Hamblin, who continued on as well, ran 16:43. D'Agostino, who has previously run 15:03 in the event, finished last in 17:10.02. 

D'Agnostino (center) and Hamblin (far right) were 3,000m into the second heat when disaster struck and the New Zealander went tumbling to the ground

D'Agnostino got up to help her rival, then as it became clear that 24-year-old D'Agnostino had a right ankle injury, Hamblin tried to help her continue

D'Agostino told Hamblin to go on as she collapsed on to all fours on the track. But the camera then came back to D'Agostino and she was back on her feet and running again

D'Agnostino got up to help her rival, then as it became clear that 24-year-old D'Agnostino had a right ankle injury, Hamblin tried to help her continue

The inspirational moment encapsulated the Olympic spirit as the two women who had become entangled then tried to help each other

D'Agnostino had been in agony with an injury to her right ankle after becoming entangled with Hamblin during the race

D'Agnostino urged her rival to continue her race and despite the extreme pain in her ankle, she eventually got to her feet and limped around the track

The American runner, who has previously run 15:03 in the event, finished last in 17:10.02 but will still be given a place in the final

At the finish line Abbey D'Agnostino and Nikki Hamblin shared an emotional hug after tripping over one another in the race

Hamblin was waiting at the finish line for her and the two runners shared an emotional hug. 

D'Agostino was then taken away in a wheelchair, but still managed a smile. She was later taken for an MRI scan.

Hamblin said: ‘When I went down, I was like "Whats happening, why am I on the ground?" And suddenly there's this hand on my shoulder like "Get up, get up, we have to finish this."

‘I'm so grateful for Abbey for doing that for me. I mean, that girl is the Olympic spirit right there.

‘I'm so impressed and inspiring that she did that. I've never met her before. Like, I’ve never met this girl before. And isn't that just so amazing?’ 

Both Hamblin and D'Agostino were subsequently promoted to the 5000m final on Friday.

As they parted at the end of the race, with D'Agnostino being taken away in a wheelchair, the two women shared a special moment

Hamblin waited for D'Agnostino at the finish line, where she had finished around 30 seconds earlier, and helped her into a wheelchair

Hamblin helped D'Agostino in to a wheelchair after the race that had seen both women become entangled

‘I'm so grateful for Abbey for doing that for me. I mean, that girl is the Olympic spirit right there,' Hamblin said after the race

Sports fans were full of praise for D'Agostino 'showing the spirit of the Olympics' and for the two women displaying an 'amazing sportsmanship'

Hamblin, who had a disappointing performance in the women's 1500m heats at the weekend, only decided two days ago whether to run in her second event, the 5,000m.  

Sports fans were full of praise for D'Agostino 'showing the spirit of the Olympics' and for the two women displaying an 'amazing sportsmanship'.

Running journalist Jonathan Gault tweeted: 'Abbey D'Agostino is one of the nicest individuals I have ever met. Anyone who knows her is not surprised by what she did today.'