The Derek Redmond Story culminated on Monday night, August 3, at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. At the track and field stadium, the gun sounded for the 400-meter semifinals. About 100 meters into the race, Britain’s Derek Redmond crumpled to the track with a torn right hamstring. Medical attendants rushed out to assist him, but as they approached Redmond, he waved them all aside, struggled to his feet, and crawled and hopped in a desperate effort to finish the race.
Four years earlier he had also qualified for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea. Ninety seconds before his heat he had to pull out of the Olympics because of Achilles tendon problems. Following that injury, he had five surgeries. Yet somehow he had qualified again for this 1992 Olympics, and he’d just suffered a career-ending injury.
But he said to himself, “I’m not quitting. I’m going to finish this race.” He works his way, hopping, crawling at times down the lane.
Up in the stands, a big guy wearing a T-shirt, tennis shoes, and a Nike cap that said “Just Do It” across the front barreled out of the stands, hurled aside a security guard, ran to Derek Redmond’s side, and embraced him. He was Jim Redmond, Derek’s father.
Jim was one of these sports dads who changes his whole life for the sake of his athlete child. He changed jobs. He moved to find the best training for his son.
Now, arm around his son’s waist, Derek’s arm around his dad’s thick shoulders and neck, they continue down the track.
Mom and sister were watching this race back home on television. His sister, who was pregnant, went into false labor. Mom is weeping. There, at the stadium, the crowd is standing, cheering. Derek and his daddy work their way around the track until, finally, arm in arm, they cross the finish line.
The Derek Redmond Story
When you don’t give up..You cannot fail!!
I want to say a BIG thank you to ‘everyone’ who has commented on the inspiration that they’ve received from this video. When I put this video together I was following my heart to inspire ‘Whoever’ might be discouraged to… “Not Give Up!”
However, I have received the most from this posting, I have been so blessed from the countless strangers who have directly (or indirectly) motivated me to continue forward.
Life has a strange way of holding us up in our time of need. I did not know when I posted this video that ‘exactly a year to the day’ later my daughter would die in a tragic car accident.
May we all spread the message of hope
“Don’t Give Up”!
Warmest wishes,
Connie Lynne