by Ryan Gray

Created on: April 30, 2008   Last Updated: August 07, 2008

Many close finishes and world records came to mind as I recalled the greatest moments in the history of the Olympic Games. When the top athletes from around the world gather in the same place, great moments are part of the script.

Although most of my memorable moments involved individuals, there has been no greater team accomplishment than the United States Hockey team's win over a dominant Soviet team that led to their Gold medal victory in the 1980 Olympics. Americans everywhere cheered the team's win over the Soviets, and many can remember where they were when the "Miracle on Ice" occurred.

As exciting as that was, the greatest and most memorable Olympic moment in my mind did not even happen at the finish line, or on the ice, or in a sand pit, or on a mat. It happened on the track in Barcelona, Spain in 1992 - about 100 meters from the finish line.

Derek Redmond, a 400-meter runner from Great Britain, was unable to finish the same race in the Olympics four years earlier because he injured his Achilles tendon. Determined to erase those memories and achieve his dream of becoming an Olympic champion, Redmond trained hard in the months and years that followed. As a result, he was able to reclaim his status as one of the world's top sprinters and could see that his goal was within reach.

However, a little over halfway through the race for the Gold medal in Spain, Redmond reportedly heard a pop and then felt a terrible pain. At that point the only thing within reach was his own leg, since he had suffered a torn hamstring muscle. He crashed to the track in agony as the other racers flew past him.

Thoughts of what had happened in '88, combined with the sight of his son suffering in front of thousands of people caused an emotional outburst by Redmond's father, Jim. He raced past the security guards and medics to get to Derek's side. For all intents and purposes, the race was over; but no one pointed that out to the Redmonds.

When Jim got to Derek a short conversation followed. Although his father pointed out that no one was forcing him to continue, Derek insisted on finishing the race. He was not going to quit again. With that in mind, Jim insisted on going with him.

As Jim helped his teary-eyed son to his feet, some fans started to clap. But as they realized that the Redmonds were moving on down the track to finish what Derek had started, the noise got considerably louder. That volume continued to rise with each step taken by an injured but determined athlete and his caring father.

Derek Redmond finished with what is likely the slowest 400-meter time ever at the Olympics, given that it features the world's best athletes. But that did not matter to the people in the stands when Derek and his father crossed the finish line. That's because they were standing and cheering wildly.

Redmond displayed the Olympic spirit by not giving up. Despite the obstacles he was confronted with, he continued to fight. His fellow athletes matched that spirit by supporting him every step of the way. There have been many memorable moments in the history of the Olympics, but none greater than the spirited march to the finish line by Derek and Jim Redmond.

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