Canadians rally around men’s relay team

The Canadian men’s 4x100m relay team may have been disqualified, but they’ve won the hearts of Canadians for being a class act.

In an open letter to the team, consisting of Gavin Smellie, Seyi Smith, Jared Connaughton and Justyn Warner, 10-year-old Elijah Porter from Newfoundland not only wrote the team a letter consoling them on the loss, but gave them his Timbits soccer medal as well.

“When I heard what happened on Aug. 11, I knew it was wrong. The rules were not right. But, at last, I realized how good you were,” the boy wrote.

Porter was among many Canadians who took to social media to support the men’s team for the classy way they handled the disqualification.

“Inspired by the courage, class, & loyalty shown by the Canadian men’s relay team,” Tweeted @HockeyChick_ after the race.

Immediately after the disqualification, Connaughton took responsibility for the misstep that cost the team the medal. “As soon as I saw the replay I saw I stepped on the line. I’m sorry for costing my teammates a medal.”