The most famous Olympic athletes are always going to be the ones who use a kill-or-be-killed mindset to make the most of their God-given ability. They accept a performance that is nothing less than perfect in the quest for Olympic gold. But often the best Olympic moments are the ones where athletes care less about being a machine and more about being human. They go the extra distance not to gain Olympic gold for themselves, but for country, family, or their teammates. Sometimes they shine just for the sake of honor in the face of defeat.
Barcelona Olympics Provide Special Moment
Such was the case in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona for the 400-meter specialist Derek Redmond, a 27-year-old sprinter from the United Kingdom. Redmond, who had held the British record in the 400 meters since 1985, was an Olympic favorite on a world-class stage. His performance created a moment in time many will remember forever.
Redmond’s Olympic Start Looked Good
Despite a career filled with injuries, Redmond always batted back. He posted fastest time in the opening round of qualifiers at the Barcelona Olympics. He then won his quarterfinal race, proving he belonged in the next round and perhaps in the finals. His quest for championship glory in the form of a medal-winning Olympic performance seemed real.
However, fate had planned on a different form of glory for Redmond.
Redmond’s Olympic Clash with Fate
About 150 meters into the 400-meter semifinal, Redmond’s right hamstring snapped and he fell to the ground in agony. The field continued its race but Redmond’s Olympic quest was over. Then, in an Olympic moment worthy of the ages, Redmond made a commitment that he was going to find the strength and stamina to finish the race even if he couldn’t win.
Redmond picked himself up, broke away from Olympic security personnel and started limping around the track. He could only put a little weight on his injured leg. Awestruck fans first questioned his craziness for continuing and then applauded his willpower for finishing. For a moment, the Olympics ground to a halt while fellow athletes followed one man’s struggle to reach the finish line. But as Redmond rounded the final corner and headed toward the finish line, the pain appeared to get the most of him. His pace slowed and his face wore a veil of pain. It appeared as though the sheer force of human willpower bolstered by a stadium full of cheering fans couldn’t carry Redmond to the finish. However, his father, Jim Redmond, could carry him. The senior Redmond then broke through security personnel and put his arm around his son and helped him limp to the finish. In a true Olympic feel-good moment, a father helped his son climb over a mountain of pain to achieve his goal. It didn’t matter that they came in last, it mattered that they were there together, finishing what they had started.
It did not matter that Derek Redmond crossed the finish line in tears. It only mattered that he finished. A minute earlier the Olympics crowed had cheered the race winners, but now it was cheering Redmond who posted an Olympic performance in his struggle just to finish.
Post-Olympics Life
Derek Redmond, who was born in 1965, went on to form a motivational speaking company. He retired after the 1992 Olympics.
