The 10 Greatest Acts Of Sportsmanship.

It isn't always about winning in sports. Small but powerful acts of sportsmanship that might come out of nowhere, crossing team lines and surprising the fans in the bleachers are often remembered above the epic victories and terrible defeats. These are the moments when athletes put aside their strong rivalries and come together as human beings rather than opponents.

We look back at the finest displays of sportsmanship throughout history to commemorate the debut of RACE, which depicts the extraordinary true story of famous athletic sensation Jesse Owens and will be released in UK theatres on June 3.

10.Freddie Flintoff (Cricket): 2005, The Ashes

After a tense and close 2005 cricket match between England and Australia, England won by a razor-thin two-run margin. Freddie Flintoff had noticed Australian player Brett Lee slumped over in defeat and, rather than immediately joining his own team to celebrate, Freddie walked over and offered a consoling handshake. This photograph of a modest act of sportsmanship has gone on to become one of the most iconic sporting images of all time, and this seemingly insignificant gesture had a huge influence on the players and everyone who observed it.

9. Judy Guinness: 1932, Los Angeles Olympic Games, Fencing

Judy Guinness, at the age of 21, was in contention to become the first British woman to win a gold medal in fencing at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Guinness was judged the winner after a close final against Austrian Ellen Preis. She did, however, point out to the judges that they had missed two hits from her opponent, who have won if they had seen them. Her honesty may have cost her the gold medal, but she is now remembered for her sportsmanship throughout history!

8. Robbie Fowler: 1997, Premier League, Football

The famed Liverpool striker claimed he had not been fouled by David Seaman after a penalty was awarded in a Premier League encounter at Highbury in 1997. Because the referee insisted on a spot kick, Fowler fired a weak shot straight towards Seaman, as taking the shot would have been incorrect. Later, he won a FIFA commendation for this.

7. Nigel Mansell: 1992, Formula 1, Racing

Nigel Mansell, who had never won previously, and Ayrton Senna, frequently regarded to as Mansell's nemesis, were in a close battle 59 laps into the race that would determine the winner of the Formula One Championship. Senna ran out of gas with 10 laps to go, and Mansell cruised to victory. Mansell went to pick up Senna, who was stuck on the course, while on his winning lap.

They drove back to the pits together after a long walk back to the garages - The two opponents performed a surprising and heartwarming act of sportsmanship.. Nigel Mansell: 1992, Formula 1, Racing

6. Meghan Vogel: 2012, High School

Meghan Vogen, a high school runner from Columbus, Ohio, came to her opponent Arden McMath's rescue after she fell 20 meters from the finish line during the 3200 meter finals. Vogen assisted McMath in getting up and guiding her to the finish line, allowing her to finish 14th, with herself finishing last in 15th. "Any girl on the track would have done the same for me," Meghan told ESPN, but it takes a great sportsman to act so selflessly.

5. Paolo Di Canio: 2001, Everton v West Ham United Match, Football

Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard collapsed in a football match between Everton and West Ham United in 2001 after hurting a muscle midway through the game. When Di Canio was passed the ball with an open goal and a fantastic opportunity to score, he instead caught it and pointed to the injured Gerrard so that he might receive immediate medical attention. The goal would have been good enough, but Di Canio chose sportsmanship over personal gain.

4. Tana Umaga: 2003, New Zealand v Wales, Rugby

Captain Colin Charvis made a dart for the try line during New Zealand's 2003 Test match against Wales, but was knocked out cold by All Blacks back row Jerry Collins in an attempt to terminate his run before they could score. Tana Umaga recognized the gravity of Charvis' situation and abandoned his position in the game to rush to his opponent's rescue. He took off his gum shield and put him in the recovery posture until more assistance arrived. Umaga was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal, as well as a figure from the Welsh Rugby Union, in recognition of his sportsmanship.

3. John Landy: 1956, National Championships, 1500m Track

During the 1956 National Championship for track and field, Ron Clarke was wounded midway through the race, and another runner John Landy, who was in the lead at the time, stopped and raced back to see whether his opponent was okay, while the rest of the runners continued on. Landy assisted Clarke in standing up and rejoining the race, after which he went on to win it, miraculously narrowing the gap between himself and those ahead of him.

2. Lutz Long: 1936 Summer Olympics, Long Jump

Lutz Long was a German long-jumper who competed in the 1936 Olympic Games in Nazi Germany alongside Jesse Owens. Long's biggest competitor in the race to first place was Owens, and when the African American fouled his first two attempts, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to take the lead. Nonetheless, Lutz urged him to redo his warm-up, which enabled Owens to qualify and later win the gold medal. Lutz finished second and took home the silver medal, but not before congratulating Owens on his victory.

Despite Nazi Germany's racial tensions, Lutz and Owens strolled around the track arm-in-arm, and this formed the start of a lifetime friendship. With Lutz by his side, Owens went on to win his other three gold, demonstrating the poise and ability to stomp Hitler's supreme ignorance into the ground.

1. Pete Goss: 1996, Round-the-World Vendee Globe Yacht Race, Sailing

Pete Goss, an English sailor, performed an extraordinary act of sportsmanship on Christmas Day in 1996. A month and a half into the round-the-world Vandee, he received word that a competitor's yacht, owned by French sailor Raphael Dinelli, had been wrecked in a storm in the Southern Ocean and needed assistance. Goss instantly dropped out of the race and set sail to save Dinelli, sailing through hurricane-force gusts. Despite his yacht being hit several times on the way, he was able to track him down with the help of an Australian Air Force plane. France has honored him with the Legion d'Honneur, and the two men have remained close friends ever since.