Derek Redmond was helped over the line by his father in an “iconic” Olympic moment
DEREK REDMOND – You Raise Me Up Videos
You raise me up by Josh Groban…
Derek Anthony Redmond (born 4 September 1965) is a retired British sprinter has been reliving the iconic Olympic moment he described as “the one thing people remember me for”. Derek Redmond, who lives in Northampton, was helped over the line by his father in 1992 after tearing his hamstring at the beginning of the 400m semi-final.
Redmond said he is still frustrated about not getting an Olympic medal.
He said: “It’s the one thing people remember me for.
“It doesn’t matter that I’ve won all the other major titles.”
He added that the most annoying thing was the incident that happened at the greatest sporting competition of them all: “If you’re in an Olympic sport and you’ve got the opportunity to compete at an Olympic games, that’s the one you want to win.
“That’s the real frustration – that I didn’t get an Olympic medal.”
Despite his own Olympic disappointment, he is excited about the medal prospects for today’s Team GB stars. He predicts that Matthew Hudson-Smith Paris 2024 will bring home a medal in his old distance of 400m. He said: “I think he’ll win it, I think he will break his own British record. “He’s run 43.74 at the moment – I think it will take a bit quicker than that.”
He is also expecting great things from 24-year-old Charlie Dobson, who has posted the second-fastest time of any British competitor.
He said: “It’s really looking good for this Olympics and the next Olympics.”
- ‘Inspirational moment’ – tributes to Redmond dad
- Redmond’s father helps him over line
- BBC Sport: Olympic Games
Redmond, 58, was born in Bletchley in Buckinghamshire and educated at Roade School in Northampton. Like so many athletes, he dreamed of an Olympic medal and finally made it to the 1988 games in Seoul, but injury forced him to pull out before his heat.The year before the Barcelona games, he was part of a British quartet that had snatched a surprise gold from the US favourites in the 4x400m relay.
He was confidently expecting to take another two golds away from Barcelona.
He won his quarter-final but tore his hamstring 250m (273 yards) from the end of the semi-final race. He was determined to finish but was in great pain and his father decided to come on to the track to help him get to the line. Derek Redmond seemed to be in good form heading into the Olympics in Barcelona. He posted the fastest time of the first round, and went on to win his quarter-final.
In the semi-final, Redmond started well, but in the back straight about 250 metres from the finish, his hamstring snapped. He hobbled to a halt, and then fell to the ground in pain. Stretcher bearers made their way over to him, but Redmond decided he wanted to finish the race. He began to hobble along the track, with pain etched upon his face.
He was soon joined on the track by his father, Jim Redmond, who barged past security and onto the track to get to his son. Jim and Derek completed the lap of the track together, with Derek leaning on his father’s shoulder for support. As they crossed the finish line, the crowd of 65,000 spectators rose to give Derek a standing ovation. However as his father had helped him finish, Derek was officially disqualified and Olympic records state that he “Did Not Finish” the race. But in the public’s perception, he had finished and done so heroically.
Redmond’s struggle in the 1992 semi-final later became the subject of one of the International Olympic Committee’s ‘Celebrate Humanity’ videos.
In 2008, Redmond was featured in the Visa “Derek Redmond, Go World” Olympics (youtube.com) The advertisement highlights his 1992 injury, noting that “he and his father finished dead last, but he and his father finished”, narrated by actor Morgan Freeman and also featured in Nike 2008 Olympics “Courage” Commercial (youtube.com)
Nike “Courage” commercial from 2008 is a powerful and emotional advertisement that aired during the Beijing Olympics. It features a montage of various athletes overcoming challenges, with the song “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers playing in the background1.
One of the most memorable moments in the commercial is the inclusion of Derek Redmond’s story. During the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Redmond tore his hamstring in the 400m semi-final but continued to hobble towards the finish line with the help of his father2. This moment has become an iconic symbol of perseverance and determination.
The commercial emphasizes the message that “everything you need is already inside you,” aligning with Nike’s “Just Do It” slogan1.
It’s a great example of how sports can inspire and motivate people to push through their limits. Derek Redmond’s Epic Inspirational True Story, 1992 Summer Olympics (You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban)
God is like that… When we are hurt and struggling, He comes and helps us finish the race… May God bless you… We were not born to give up… Such a powerful story in so many ways… Long live Christ the King.!
An epic inspirational story for millions forever,
You could put a gun to my head and I would not be able to remember who won this race, but I’ll always remember The unforgettable story of Great Britain’s 400m runner Derek Redmond and his father Jim, wearing the cap saying ‘just do it’ ….no matter that he knew he would be disqualified, it’s about the principle of the sport. Not winning or losing
Derek’s hamstring snapped during his event but was determined to finish the race at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. It was wonderful how the 65 thousand Catalans who were present in the stadium applauded Jim and his father non-stop….simply unforgettable Derek Anthony Redmond didn’t win a medal at the Barcelona Olympics.
In fact, the British 400m runner didn’t even make it past the semi-final stage. But it was his determination to finish that will live forever in the minds of millions. Injury forced the Briton to withdraw from the 1988 Seoul Games just ten minutes before the start of his 400m heat, so Redmond felt he had everything to prove in Barcelona four years later.
Not to his peers, that is but, as he later admitted, to himself. Redmond wanted a medal whatever the color and he started well, qualifying for the semi-finals by clocking the fastest time in his heat.
As the gun signaled the start of his semi-final, Redmond charged out of the blocks, making good speed over his first 250m. At about 3:49, you can hear a popping sound. That sound is probably Derek Redmond’s directly in line with the field mic at the side of the track.
I’d suggest it’s the sudden heavy steps associated with stopping that are being picked up by the mic, not a muscular tear. At that point his right hamstring snapped. The one-time British 400m record holder pulled sharply up as the rest of his field ran away from him, leaving Redmond on his knees and crippled, his Olympic dream over. What followed, however, is one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history.
Redmond got back to his feet and tried to finish the race. In an act of true courage against adversity, Redmond could only hop on one leg towards the finish line. Pain etched on his face as each step became more painful than the last, Redmond would not give up. He had promised himself and his father that he would finish the race ‘no matter what,’ and he would keep that promise.
Halfway to the finish line on one leg and crying with desperation, Derek was joined by his father Jim. The moment Redmond crossed the finish line brought sixty-five thousand spectators to their feet in a standing ovation, many also in tears. Few can remember that Steve Lewis of the USA won the semi-final in a time of 44.50. But no one who saw it will ever forget Derek Redmond’s courage on the day he defined the essence of the human and Olympic spirit.
Let’s take a look back at the semi-final of the Men’s 400 metres sprint where Derek Redmond tore his hamstring and still finished the race limping while the crowd in the stadium gave him a standing ovation. Although Great Britain’s Redmond was disqualified and listed as “Did Not Finish” due to the outside assistance of his father finishing the race, this very inspirational race has become a well-remembered and inspirational moment in Olympic history – Enjoy watching!
I remember screaming at the TV “Don’t touch him! Don’t touch him!” He actually was doing pretty good considering the torn hamstring. As much as you wouldn’t want to be disqualified, he’s also putting all of that weight on one leg which isn’t good.. besides, a DQ wouldn’t take away his accomplishments, not on global television and his father stepping in to help him.. is just everything man..
This is simultaneously the most heartbreaking and heartwarming video of all time.
That walk with his dad is worth more than all the gold medals in the world.
A standing ovation >>>>>>>>>>>>>>gold medal
It’s not how you start, not how you finish. What is most important is not to win but to take part.
I admire Derek and Jim for their courage to finish the race together
This has to be the greatest moment in Olympic sporting history…An example of guts personified! Proof that the human spirit is very difficult to defeat. 
️. had every emotion, a true father who was there for his son..and Derek won a standing ovation of 65000 peoples & it is the most beautiful moment. I adore the lack of commentary. There are no words, just a fathers love for his son 
️
At this moment, he didn’t see Derek as an Olympic world class athlete, he saw his little boy. And who better to come and pick him up and dust him off than his father. This is the ultimate father; he didn’t let his son give up, he helped him cross that finish line no matter what so that he’d go until the very end.
His Dad passed away 05/10/22 at 81 years. Jim, you were an absolute hero and the sort of person that the world needs more of. Rest in peace, Jim Redmond, and thank-you for reminding us that there are kind, beautiful people in the world. Finally, a clip of this race without any voice overs or music:
World’s luckiest audience *ever*
I finally found a video of them going past the finish line and off field. 
Derek Redmond’s inspirational 400m Race at Barcelona 1992 | Throwback Thursday..
Three parts of this clip that get me EVERY time…1. When Derek Redmond Collapses into his Father’s arms 2. When dad (Jim Redmond) puts his arms around Derek’s shoulders and 3. When Jim Redmond tells the official, “Leave Him Alone, I’m His FATHER!!!”
It was named the third most iconic moment from the games by the Guardian in 2011.
PAST Olympic Games – Summer, Winter Olympics, YOG & Paralympics
Welcome to Derek Redmond | Official Website
A Message from Derek
This is the very best place for you to find out about my career and to keep up to date with what I’m up to at the moment.
Since retiring from elite sport, I’ve kept myself busy especially with my keynote speaking and media appearances – I am available to hire as a motivational speaker via my official speakers agency, Champions Speakers! Learn more about all of that and the different ways I’m able to help your company or brand.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my site!
Watch all the #Paris2024 action LIVE! 
https://go.olympics.com/watch
OLYMPIC HIGHTLIGHT VIDEOS – Search Videos (bing.com)
Please show one of the most exciting women’s soccer matches ever played in the Olympics between USA and Canada in the 2012 London Olympics semi-final match. Several of the matches of women’s soccer from 2012 are already posted on the Olympic channel, but this match has not been posted. It was an intense, back-and-forth nail biter, truly a classic match in women’s football history. This match took place on 06/08/12 at the Old Trafford, Manchester. USA booked a spot in the Gold Medal Match with a 4 to 3 Extra Time win over Canada.
The one with the long count, the dodgy referee and Christine Sinclair’s hat trick. She basically let the feeling of a nation out after the game. I met Christine at a clinic she ran for my daughter’s team. She let my daughter wear her medal for a photo and is truly one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I also went to a Canada US friendly at BMO field in Toronto. Every time the US goalie touched the ball, 20,000 people chanted 1 2 3 4 5…… CAN v USA – Women’s Semifinal – Football | London 2012 Replays (olympics.com)
Literally THE MATCH, best one in soccer history; nail biter from beginning to end.
Why Women’s World Cup champion Brandi Chastain bared her bra – BBC News
50 stunning Olympic moments | The Guardian Thank you.