At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she received considerable international media attention following an incident during the 5000m heat in which both she and American Abbey D'Agostino fell. The two women helped each other finish the race and were allowed to compete in the final, however D'Agostino had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus and was unable to participate further. Hamblin's injuries were less serious and she was able to compete in the final, however she finished last. Both athletes were praised for their sportsmanship and "olympic spirit", and were subsequently awarded the Rio 2016 Fair Play Award by the International Fair Play Committee.