Inspiration: Be a Redmond
Derek Anthony Redmond, a British athlete, isn’t just a name that reincarnates epic memories of Olympics, but also defines the essence of the human spirit, valour, heroism and gallantry. The name is explicitly a definition of courage!
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In 1992, during the Summer Olympics, Redmond got a standing ovation from a massive crowd of 65,000 at Barcelona, which left them in tears plus indelible memories that have lasted in the minds of the world to date.
He did not win the 1992 gold medal; neither did he set a record as is the dream of every athlete. But he taught us the value of PUSHING, PERSEVERING AND PURSUING.
Just as all other world competitions, his father had accompanied him to Barcelona. The day of the race arrives. It is the semi-final heat for the 400m race.
All eight sprinters are on their marks and the sound of the blast shoots each one of them into jet-speed motion. All eyes are on them as each makes a smooth turn along the tracks -their feet barely touching the ground.
Redmond was in the lead, and is tipped to triumph again. Earlier, he had posted the fastest time in the first round, won the quarter final and was hoping to proceed through to the finale.
But less than 200 meters away from the finish line, disappointment reared its ugly head!
His hamstring snapped and tore. He limped and shuffled. He bobbled and hobbled. He felt the pain escalate unbearably.
He found himself slowing down to a halt, in an excruciating pain – and fell to the ground! His seven contenders sped off. They flew off with the medal he had long dreamed of and trained for.
As the medical team made their way to where he lay, he knew he had to decide. He pulled himself up, DETERMINED TO FINISH THE RACE. He struggled on, with one painful step at a time.
Suddenly, a man was seen pushing his way through, heading towards the tracks. He was Jim Redmond, his father.
‘Well then, if you’re going to finish the race, we will finish it together’.
Derek leaned on father’s shoulder for support. Shortly before the finish line, Jim let go off his son to complete the race.
And as he crossed the finish line, every Tom, Dick and Harry was on their feet, applauding his act of valour. A massive, colossal standing ovation amidst a thunderous applause!
The memorable moment does not even feature the winner of the said race, but the ill-fated character who impeccably defined DETERMINATION.
"I’m prouder of him than I would have been if he had won the medal. It took a lot of guts for him to do what he did", his father later remarked.
Redmond will forever have a special place in the bosom of Britain and will continue to be an inspiration to all and sundry.
Be inspired and be a Redmond!