In the 1992 Summer Olympics, Great Britain’s world champion sprinter Derek Redmond was favored to medal in the 400 meter sprint.
His career had been plagued with injury, including having to withdraw from the 1998 Olympics just seconds before his first heat due to an achilles injury.
The 1992 Olympics looked to be his moment.
Here’s what happened….
Whew. How’s that for a defining Olympic moment? Brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it. Courage. Dedication. Perseverance. Drive. Heart. Whatever term you chose, Derek Redmond embodied it that day.
Sometimes, when I’m having a crappy day, I think about moments like this and people like Derek Redmond. Kind of puts life’s little annoyances in perspective doesn’t it?
The 2012 Olympics will be held in London. There is a movement to petition the organizers to have Derek and his father Jim light the Olympic cauldron. You can sign the petition here.
Oh shit, now my keyboard is soaked.
Thanks Jay, you have no idea how much I needed that today.
I saw it live. I’ll never forget the guy’s determination.
They interviewed him afterward and he said that nothing have stopped him from finishing- he had worked too hard to let his country down.
I’m pretty sure I saw it live too JPF, but I don’t know if it’s my old faulty brain just remembering all the times I’ve seen it on video. Regardless, it is/was a remarkable thing.