When Your Father Runs to You

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond entered the 400-meter semifinal as a legitimate medal contender. Then, at the 250-meter mark, a sharp crack echoed through the stadium. His hamstring had torn. He collapsed to the track, writhing in agony, while the other runners disappeared around the curve.

What happened next stopped 65,000 people cold.

Redmond got up. Weeping, limping, refusing to quit, he began hopping toward the finish line. Then a large man in a white cap burst through security and onto the track. It was Jim Redmond, Derek's father. He wrapped his arm around his son's shoulders and leaned in close. "You don't have to do this," he said. Derek looked up through tears. "Dad, I've got to finish."

Together — son leaning into father — they crossed that finish line as the entire stadium rose to its feet.