Footage has gone viral of a Spanish triathlete allowing a rival who took a wrong turn in the final 100m of a race to catch up and win a bronze medal.

The video shows Diego Méndrita slowing down to let British athlete James Teagle cross the finishing line in third place at the Santander Triathlon.

Teagle had gone the wrong way with just metres remaining in the race, heading straight into a barrier, but his mistake ultimately did not cost him due to his competitor's generosity.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that Méndrita was awarded an honorary third place, with an accompanying €300 prize.

Fair pay for fair play!