Australian decathletes Cedric Dubler, Ash Moloney following different paths in 2022

Cedric Dubler and Ash Moloney shot to stardom at last year's Tokyo Olympics in a moment of ultimate sportsmanship.

Moloney needed a personal-best time in the 1,500 metres — the final discipline of the decathlon — to claim a bronze medal and Australia's first Olympic podium finish in the event.

He was exhausted after two gruelling days of competition, however teammate and training partner Dubler was alongside him for one last push.

Dubler had battled throughout the decathlon with a hamstring strain, but would play a pivotal role in Moloney's success.

He set the pace and yelled encouragement at Moloney during the late stages of the 1,500m, spurring his fellow Australian across the finish line.

The iconic moment sent social media and the sporting world into overdrive. 

Dubler's selfless act has now been recognised by the Australian Olympic Committee, who awarded him the inaugural Cecil Healy Award for outstanding sportsmanship displayed at an Olympic Games.

Dubler said he was surprised to receive the award.

«Hopefully it's a special moment that kind of stands the test of time,» he told ABC Sport.

«I think definitely there's some really nice messaging behind it with being there for a mate, supporting a mate and pushing them, even when potentially they've lost hope in themselves.

»Ash and I have been training partners for seven years, and obviously supported each other on and off the track and he was kind of my young protege coming through.

«I taught him the ways in decathlon, if you will, and he's come through and beaten my scores and broken the Australian record now and gone on to an Olympic medal.

»I know he has so much more in him, a world record definitely coming up … the support is there for him.

«I'm really excited to see where the