Inspiration doesn’t always come from success

The Olympic Games are always a source of inspiration. Photo credit: Pixabay

We have all been inspired to run in different ways. For some, it will be watching thousands of runners in a city marathon that will provoke us into thinking that we could do that. For others, it will be the exploits of the finest athletes in the world winning gold at the Olympic Games. There are countless ways someone can be inspired to run. But inspiration doesn’t always come from success.

The term “success” here is talking about winning a race — or even a medal. But a successful run can mean something quite different. Just going out for your first run should be deemed a success if you have never tried that before. But it is true that success is usually counted in medals, awards and personal records or bests.

However, we are going to take a dramatic Olympic moment as inspiration. It was not one that ended in a gold medal ceremony, although the athlete involved certainly enjoyed that kind of success and featured in the markets of the top betting sites online in his time. This historic moment will be remembered for the human spirit and love involved – and has undoubtedly inspired many to run after viewing.

Derek Redmond is a former 400-meter track and field athlete who represented Great Britain on the international stage. He first broke the British record when he was just 20 and then broke it again two years later to prove that he was one of the brightest young talents in the country. He had already shown as much by being one of the members of the gold-winning 4x400m team at the 1986 European Championships. A year later he won silver with the same team at the World Championships in Rome.

Apart from this most inspirational moment, you may have heard of Redmond as being one of the British team members that shocked the world – and especially Americans – to win the 4x400m gold at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo. He completed the second leg of the race in what was then the second-fastest relay in history.

Plagued by injury

Redmond’s career had already been plagued by injuries though. Three years before that gold medal-winning effort, his first Olympic Games ended in heartbreak when he pulled out of his opening round 400m heat just minutes before the start. He had been troubled with an Achilles injury and the tendinitis was just too severe for him to run. In Barcelona, four years later, he was going to get his chance to prove his talent to the world.

This time everything was looking good. He had posted the fastest time in the opening round and had then gone on to win his quarterfinal. There were some talented athletes still to beat but he must have felt that this was going to be his time to shine. About 250 meters from the finish of his semifinal, everything went horribly wrong.

Redmond’s hamstring tore and he collapsed to the track in agony. It was obvious that his Olympic dream had disappeared and tears quickly came as the world looked on. But that is not why Redmond’s career is remembered. It is what happened immediately after he fell to the floor that will live on in the history of the Games and is a moment that still inspires many to this day.

Jim Redmond, Derek’s father, was in the stands. As soon as he saw that his son had gotten up and continued to hobble down around the track, he knew that he was going to help him finish the race no matter what. The security guards on duty tried their best to stop the elder Redmond from getting to his son but they were no match for a father on a mission.

Jim proceeded to support Derek on his shoulder and the two walked to the finish line, with the British athlete limping and in obvious pain and distress. The 65,000 spectators in the crowd rose to their feet and gave the two men a standing ovation as they crossed the line. The record books only show that Redmond “did not finish,” as he was officially disqualified from the race.

Redmond had been hugely successful in relays. Photo credit: Pixabay

Derek Redmond’s injury woes continued over the next few years and in 1994 he retired from the sport altogether. But even though medical experts told him that he would never represent his country again, Redmond then became a professional basketball player in his home country and even played on the GB team. It seems as though his resolution to beat the odds and prove himself — something learned from his father — never left him.

This kind of memorable Olympic moment should be used as an inspiration to anyone struggling to raise themselves to run. As Derek Redmond’s actions show, you should always persevere and be ready to accept the help of others.

We are not advocating continuing to run when injured. You should always look after your body and listen to medical advice. However, Derek Redmond’s achievement of finishing an Olympic race can be used as an inspiration to run, no matter your level. It might be hard sometimes but it will always be worth it in the end.