The Walk That Won No Medal

On August 3, 1992, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semi-final at the Barcelona Olympics. He had waited years for this moment, having withdrawn from the 1988 Seoul Games due to an Achilles tendon injury before he could even race. Now, at twenty-six, he was finally running the race of his life.

Then, roughly 150 meters from the finish, his right hamstring snapped. Derek crumpled to the track, clutching his leg. Medical staff rushed toward him with a stretcher, but he waved them off. He stood and began hobbling forward, determined to finish.

From the stands, his father Jim Redmond pushed past security guards and ran onto the track. He wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder. "You don't have to do this," Jim said. "Yes, I do," Derek replied. "Then we're going to finish this together," his father told him. Step by agonizing step, father and son walked the final stretch while 65,000 spectators rose to their feet in tears.

Jim Redmond did not heal his son's torn hamstring. He did not carry him past the other runners. He walked with him through the pain.