If you or your kids missed it, click here, and look for the NBC-Olympics video marked “Zhang Wins Silver After Nasty Fall.” It is one of those poignant Olympic come-from-behind stories for the books. Increasing the intensity of this paired skating competition is the fact that the Chinese coach skated for his country’s team back when its floundering members had to learn all the moves from still photographs. NBC has reported that Olympic crowds once laughed at him.

No one is laughing now, only crying in honor of their courage. See if you can keep a dry eye. As you watch Zhang Dan recover and skate here, marvel at her ability to stay in the moment. She kept her mind from racing and shaming, and that’s what makes the performance truly brilliant.