Russian Olympic luger offers American rival his sled in gesture of kindness

An act of kindness helped Chris Mazdzer take silver at the Winter Olympics. The American luger fell into a rut before the Games and slid down the world rankings. But while training in Latvia a few weeks ago, a Russian luger offered Mazdzer his sled — something lugers never do — saying it might give him a boost. That display of "friendship was really moving," Mazdzer told Reuters. "It shows we care about each other and there is this human connection which crosses countries and cultures and sport is an amazing way to accomplish it." The sled proved too small, but the gesture kicked Mazdzer out of his slump. He improved his times, and this week became the first American man to win a luge medal at the Olympics.