Richmond race walker Evan Dunfee’s heroic performance and sportsmanship at the Summer Olympic Games in Rio has earned worldwide recognition.
On Friday morning, Dunfee appeared to have collected a bronze medal in the 50 km event, after being promoted from fourth following a successful appeal by Athletics Canada against Japanese competitor Hirooki Arai for bumping the 25-year-old near the final kilometre. The contact resulted in Dunfee breaking his stride and he struggled to finish the remainder of the race.
However, a few hours later, the medal was taken from Dunfee and awarded back to Arai.
The final decision was based on a counter appeal by Japan that Canada’s initial protest to the track referee was submitted after the 30-minute deadline following the completion of the race. The technicality denied Canada its 23rd medal at the Summer Games and put Araj back on the podium.
Athletics Canada had an option to pursue the appeal further with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, Dunfee told them not to — content with the final result that saw him shatter his national record by over two minutes with a time of 3:41.38.
He also released a detailed statement through Athletics Canada that included:
“Not many people can understand the pain athletes are in three and a half hours into such a gruelling race. I believe that both the Japanese athlete and myself got tangled up but what broke me was that I let it put me off mentally and once I lost that focus, my legs went to jello.
“Contact is part of our event, whether written or unwritten and is quite common, and I don’t believe that this was malicious or done with intent. Even if an appeal to CAS were successful I would not have been able to receive that medal with a clear conscience and it isn’t something I would have been proud of.
“I will sleep soundly tonight, and for the rest of my life, knowing I made the right decision. I will never allow myself to be defined by the accolades I receive, rather the integrity I carry through life.”
Reaction to Dunfee’s statement and sportsmanship during the race drew admiration from across the country and gained him and his sport thousands of new fans.
As Dunfee approached struggling race leader Yohann Dinitz who had stopped altogether, he patted the Frenchman on the back and the two continued on. His action drew this response via twitter from Clara Hughes — Canada's most decorated Olympian.
“I was impressed by Evan. His gesture to struggling French walker, his effort and class. The short lived medal a bonus. I'm still in awe.”
Three-time Olympic medalist and former speed skating star Catriona Le May Doan had this to add.
“Inspiring way to start my morning watching the gutsy performance of Evan Dunfee. Congrats! All of Canada is so proud!”
Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his congratulations — before and after the medal controversy.
“The appeal didn't go his way, but we're proud of Evan Dunfee. “Still a Canadian record holder.”
The McNair and UBC graduate’s class and dignity even made him a popular choice on CBC’s informal poll on who should be Canada’s flag-bearer at Sunday’s Closing Ceremonies. He finished third behind stars Penny Oleksiak and Andre De Grasse — both multi-medalists at the Games
Dunfee actually led for a large portion of the race after he passed Dinitz. However, he was eventually reeled in by three competitors — eventual gold medalist Matej Toth of Slovakia, silver medalist Jared Tallent of Australia and Aari. He was sitting fourth before mounting one final late surge to pass Aarj when the infraction occurred.
It was just the fifth time he has ever competed at the 50 km distance — establishing himself as a medal favourite for the 2020 Games in Toyko. He initially broke the Canadian record last December in Australia.
Canada’s previous best performance in the 50 km was sixth place by Alex Oakley back in 1960.
