Brazilian handball player Tamires Morena won widespread admiration after assisting Angolan captain Albertina Kassoma during the final Preliminary Round Group B women’s handball match at the Paris Olympics 2024. Kassoma, who was injured after missing a shot, struggled to get up and received immediate medical attention on the court.
While Angolan team physician examined Kassoma, Brazil’s goalkeeper Gabriela Moreschi initially helped her to her feet. However, seeing the extent of Kassoma’s pain, Morena quickly intervened. Despite her towering height of 183 cm, Morena carried Kassoma across the court, drawing cheers from the 5,800 spectators at the South Paris Arena 6.
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Morena explained, “The injury happened close to me. I kept playing at first because I didn’t think it was that serious. When I saw her on the ground, I thought she wouldn’t be able to get back up because it’s very rare that you fall and don’t get up. Albertina is a friend of mine for many years. We both play in Romania. There was no way I couldn’t help her because I knew it would be very difficult for her to leave the court. I have a special affection for her. I respect her work a lot.”
During the incident, the two players shared a brief conversation in Portuguese. Morena relayed Kassoma’s gratitude, saying, “She said, ‘Thank you very much, my friend. Only you could lift me up. I was very hurt. Now she will recover. We are both elderly (laughs), and friends who sit down for coffee and chat. We don’t have much time to go out at night, but we are lifelong friends. I respect the Angolan team a lot. They’ve had a wonderful journey. Unfortunately, one team had to be out, but that’s what sports are all about.’”
This act of sportsmanship highlights the deep camaraderie and mutual respect among athletes, transcending competition and national borders.
