Derek Redmond was a sprinter who was favored to win the gold medal in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He had earlier been forced to withdraw from the 1988 Olympics because of a knee injury, but this time, when the race began, he took the initial lead. Half way through the race, however, he felt a searing pain in his right leg. He had pulled a hamstring and therefore was taken out of medal contention. But he was determined to keep going and limped along. As soon as he had gone a few yards, a man pushed himself through security. It was his father, who, when he came to Derek’s side, said, “You don’t have to do this.” “Yes I do,” Derek replied. “Then we’ll finish this race together,” his father continued. Derek did not win a medal, but did finish the race. Shortly after the race, Redmond was on the beach of the coast of Spain, where he met his wife-to-be. Later, when he went to the doctor after his final surgery, the doctor said: “Look, you’re done. You’ll never compete for your country again. Go find a real job.” But three years later, Redmond sent a picture of himself playing basketball for England, along with a note, saying: “Thanks for your confidence. Signed, Derek Redmond, International sprinter and basketball player.” Redmond played professionally for the Birmingham Bullets.
