The Man Who Ran to His Son

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond was considered a medal favorite in the 400-meter semifinal. He had trained for this moment his entire life. Then, 150 meters from the finish line, a sickening pop — a torn hamstring. He collapsed to the track.

The medics moved toward him. Derek waved them off. He was going to finish. Through sobs and searing pain, he pushed himself to his feet and began hobbling toward the line. A packed stadium fell silent.

Then something happened that has moved people to tears for thirty years. A man burst through security and onto the track. It was Jim Redmond, Derek's father. He wrapped his arm around his son's waist. Derek buried his face in his father's shoulder and wept as they crossed the finish line together — not as a champion, but restored.

"That's my son," Jim said afterward, "and I'm going to be with him."