WHEN YOU DO NOT GIVE UP, YOU CANNOT FAIL

Derek and father during the race

Things do not always work the way you want them to be…Derek Redmond was favoured to medal in the Olympic 400 m sprint, 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. 150 metres into the race Derek felt a searing pain in agony he felt to the ground with a tearing hamstring not willing to give up determined to finish the race, he limped on.

Breaking through security a man came to his side. It was his father. “you do not have to do this son” he said to Derek. In pain Derek replied “no I have to finish”. Father couldn’t let go of his son but he only had one choice to let his son do what he wanted. He said “well son we will do this together then”.

The two side by side ran the remaining metres, with a few paces left. Derek’s father let go of his son to finish the race, receiving a standing ovation from a crowd of over 65000.