Shortly after the surprise, Rainn went on to win the gold medal in the 3,000-meter race for her age group. After The Associated Press wrote Friday about the family's challenges, a New York philanthropist contacted Handy and bought her a plane ticket. But as Rainn was being interviewed by a local reporter Monday at the race venue, Tonia Handy surprised her daughter with a giant hug. "Now it feels like not only can I be on the team, but I can actually give to the team," she said. Handy, 46, has a job answering phones at a car service, but it hasn't been enough to support the family.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 02, 2016 16:34 UTC