His name was Derrick Redman. He was a runner for Great Britain in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He tried to make it in the 1988 summer Olympics but he was injured and he had to make a decision, “Do I go through all the work for four more years to get to the 92 Olympics?” But he made a decision to run again to honour his father who had supported him all of his life.
Derek qualified for the 1992 Olympics which was an amazing feat since he had undergone twenty-two surgeries on his Achilles’ tendon. He qualified to be in the semi finals of the men’s 440 meter race. He was in one of the center lanes, the gun fired and he shot out of the blocks leading the pack. The starter’s gun fired and Redmond set off. 140 metres down the track he was in a strong position when his hamstring gave way. He collapsed to the ground in a ball of pain and tears. Medics ran out to assist him but Redman waved them away. He was determined to finish the race, even if he couldn’t win it. And so he crawled and hobbled his way along the track.
There was a commotion in the crowd and a man ran down from the grandstands. He pushed his way through the security guards and ran on to the track towards his son. It was Jim Redman, Derrick’s father. He placed an arm around Derek.
“You don’t have to do this” Jim told his son.
“Yes I do” Derek replied.
“Well then” said Jim, “we’re going to finish this together”
Just before they reached the finish line, with the crowd screaming in support, Jim Redmond let his son go, so that he could cross the line on his own.
After the race Derrick Redman was interviewed and he said “My father was the only person who could have helped me, because he understood everything that I had been through.”
Wonderful rememberance! It still makes me cry.
A great example of family values and Faith was naturaly displayed. The athlete got up to finish his race no matter what, and the father that had taught the athlete the values rush to his side to support his son! This is what we are missing today. Our children are lacking direction and support. To me Derrick’s father is a “Hero” as a father. Derrick is a “Hero” as a human being. He pracice what he was taught at home .. humility, respect and responsibility to finish what he start.
Hi,
I never knew of that maybe cuz I was 12 at that time in the middle of Africa and maybe I was outside playing with my friends but I knew about the olympic in barcelona in 1992…. however today, I watched the little video on a friend’s wall on facebook and the way it happened and the song they had on plus the message of how God works in us…that made me cry and think about my walk with God it was so inspiraing, unconditional love… I mean it was a powerful message to the world…. Derrick, u may not have finished the first but let me tell you something, spirtually? u r the champion cuz you stood up no matter what in from of 65000 people and you didn’t give up and your angel was there to stand by you to help you finish that up and you proudly did it….. this is the way it is in life and no matter what God never sleeps he watches us and always ready to help us, all we need to do is to just open our hearts to him…. Derrick, you have an angel as a father…..the spirit of God is in you, to God be the glory in the name of Jesus and many blessings to the Redman family….
Libby,
The video brought me to tears. The love of a father, the resillence of a son. I love them both!!!