Great Britain’s Derek Redmond grimaces as he is helped down the track by his father, Jim, in the 400 meters at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

But it was other barriers Redmond climbed over and around that defined his legacy, during the semifinals of the men’s 400 meters inside Estadi Olimpic de Monjuic at the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona. The International Olympic Committee calls it “one of the most inspirational moments in Olympic history.”

Redmond was in the stadium as his son, Derek, settled into the starting blocks in lane 5.

Derek, the British national record holder at 400 meters, had missed the 1988 Olympics in Seoul when, 90 seconds before his opening heat, he felt a twinge in his Achilles tendon and withdrew. But he had been part of England’s victorious 4x400 relay team at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, upsetting the mighty Americans. He won his preliminary and quarterfinal heats in Barcelona. The five surgeries were behind him. This was his time.

In the moments before the starting gun, he privately dedicated the race to his father, the driving force behind his career, his crutch through the endless bouts of rehab, his best friend. 

It was his right hamstring, and he crumbled to the orange urethane track as the rest of the field rounded the far turn, tore down the home stretch and crossed the finish line. Derek looked up and saw a stretcher crew approaching. 

No way he was getting on it.

He stood and began half-hobbling, half-skipping down the back stretch and into the final turn, dragging his right leg behind him, swerving but staying in lane 5 as the 65,000 inside Estadi Olimpic de Monjuic turned their attention from the seven finishers to the solitary figure hobbling in lane 5, pain etched across his face.

Everything I had worked for was finished,” he said later. “I hated everybody. I hated the world. I hated hamstrings. I hated it all … Then I felt a hand on my shoulder.”

It was his father, who had charged down the aisle, evaded security, scaled barriers, jumped on the track, evaded more security in his blue shorts, white T-shirt and “Just Do It” cap. He wrapped Derek’s left arm over his shoulder and whispered into his ear: “You don’t have to do this.”

Derek: “I’ve got to finish.”

Jim: “OK, we started your career together, so we’re going to finish this race together.”

Derek broke down and buried his head in his father’s shoulder, bawling. Jim kept them moving, walking arm in arm, staying in lane 5. The crowd roared louder.

An overzealous meet official approached and tried to usher them off the track. Jim shooed him away. They kept going. Another in a green jacket approached and left. They kept going, J Redmond & Son.

.. Before 5 meters to finish the dad said  " Go ahead and finish. 

And Derek finished the race.... 

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Glory of God is greatest when we are at weakest. 

Glory of God will be great when you put your head on Jesus' shoulders and going forward by His grace... 

Blessed Day... 

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Video

https://youtu.be/GLkc3PCxiYs?si=GqwsLVcvZHrjBIsK