Fathers needed more than ever

By Rob Furlong
Challenge Newspaper Sept 2008

When you think of world champion sprinters, it is fairly safe to say that your mind will not automatically go to Derek Redmond. You are far more likely to think of Carl Lewis or Asafa Powell or Usain Bolt… but not Derek Redmond. And yet, Derek Redmond has a very special place in history. Born in England in 1965, by the time he was 19, Derek had broken the British record for the 400 metres and during his career he won gold medals in the 4x400 metres relay at the World Championships, European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. A favourite for the 400 metres at the Seoul Olympics of 1988 he was forced to withdraw from the opening heat a mere 10 minutes before the race due to an injury to his Achilles tendon. In the ensuing years leading up to the 1992 Olympics he underwent 8 operations and along the way stunned the world at the 1991 World Championships when he and his teammates won gold in the 4x400 metres relay by beating the heavily favoured United States team.

And so we come to Barcelona, Spain and the 1992 Olympics. Redmond is again favourite for the 400 metres and his form in the early rounds is ominously good, running the fastest time in the first round and winning his quarter-final. 65,000 people in the stadium on the day of the 400 metres semi-final watch Redmond race around the track in an effort to seize the lead and secure a place in the final. But as he heads into the back straight, 250 metres from the finish, Redmond is once again let down by his body. As he later describes it, as he entered the straight, he heard a “pop” and thought for one moment that he had been shot. As his leg gave way beneath him, he realized that he had torn his hamstring and that his Olympic dream of a medal was now over. He collapsed onto the track and the medical team rushed over to stretcher him off. It was at this moment that Derek decided that no matter what, he would finish the race, no matter how long it took. The crowd is stunned by his bravery and once they understand the significance of what he is doing, they rose to their feet and cheered him to the finish line with an incredible roar. Redmond later said:

“I wasn’t doing it for the crowd, I was doing it for me… I wanted to finish the race.”

What Derek didn’t realize was that his father, Jim, who had been watching his son in the grandstand had raced down from his seat and then pushed, argued and shoved his way through security and officials to join his son on the track. Drawing alongside his son, 120 metres from the finish line, he placed his arm around his waist and said, “I’m here son, we’ll finish together.” And so Derek and his Dad, arms around each other finish the race with 65,000 people wildly urging them on! At he press conference later that day, Jim Redmond told the world: “I’m the proudest father alive… I’m prouder of him than if he had won the gold medal. It took a lot of guts to do what he did.”

I would add that it also took a lot of guts for Jim Redmond to do what he did — in front of a watching world he unashamedly ran to his son’s side and crossed the finish line with him. It was a demonstration of the heart and love of a father for his child at it’s best. On the day when his dreams literally crashed to the ground, Derek Redmond experienced the love and support of his Dad in a new way.

Dads, despite what our world says, you are needed more than ever. No matter how old or young your kids are, they still need your love, encouragement, support, example and advice. Be there for them! Inject yourself into their lives in meaningful ways. It’s never too late to start. The world may never hear of your love like it did Jim and Derek Redmond’s, but that matters little because the people who need it the most, your family, will and they will thank you for it!

Have a wonderful Father’s Day!!