The Father Who Ran Onto the Track

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Derek Redmond was favored to medal in the 400-meter semifinal. Halfway through the race, he felt a sharp pop — his right hamstring had torn. He collapsed onto the track as the crowd fell silent.

Then something remarkable happened. Derek got up.

He couldn't run. He could only hobble, lurching forward in visible agony, determined to finish the race he had trained years to complete. Then, from the stands, a man burst past security guards and sprinted onto the track. It was Jim Redmond — Derek's father.

Jim wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder and held him close. Together — father and son — they crossed the finish line. Derek's face was buried in his father's chest, weeping. Jim was whispering something in his ear the whole way.