The gold-medal winners at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio get all of the headlines, but for every medalist there are many more that suffer crushing defeat after years of training, travelling, and personal sacrifice. But possibly the saddest example of the agony of defeat happened last night when 21-year-old French hurdler Wilhem Belocian was disqualified in the 110-meter hurdles after a single false start. It’s a rule The Washington Post dubbed the “cruelest rule in Olympic sports.”
Belocian had the third fastest season among the nine runners in the heat. If he wasn’t disqualified, it was likely he would have advanced to today’s semi final. After realizing his disqualification, Belocian reacted immediately by throwing his hands up to his face and then fell to his knees and slammed his fist into the ground. After one false move, he was eliminated from competition and would soon have to confront the fact that the years of effort that led to that moment had been in vain.
Hurdlers weren’t always disqualified for a single false start. Before the rule was changed six years ago, in the event of a false start, the entire field was given a warning, and the next runner to jump the pistol was disqualified. But after slower runners used the rule to try and get a competitive edge, the frequency of false starts slowed down track meets, and caused television broadcasts to overrun their time slots. This resulted in a rule change that will affect Belocian’s life forever.
Belocian’s despondent reaction to the disqualification broke the hearts of millions watching the games and left many demanding a rule change.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.