The Olympic Spirit: Finish What You Start

Trish18 — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:54:59 GMT

Derek Redmond is a retired English athlete who, as a 400 metres and 4 x 400 metres runner, won gold medals at the European, Commonwealth, and World Championships.

However, he might best be known for the disappointment he suffered at the 1992 Summer Olympics in the 400m race.

He posted the fastest time of the first round, and won his quarter-final. In the semi-final, Redmond started well, but 175m from the finish, his hamstring tore. Redmond immediately fell to the ground, but soon began to hobble along the track. He was then joined on the track by his father, Jim Redmond, who had supported Derek for his whole career. Shortly before the line, Jim let go of his son, and he completed the race, with a standing ovation from the crowd of 65,000.

I was glued to the television during the Barcelona Olympics as a little girl and remember this happening. I will never, ever forget it:

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The Olympic Spirit: Finish What You Start