The Story (wikipedia.com)

At the 1991 World Championships Redmond was a member of the British team which shocked the athletics world by beating the much-favoured American team into second place to claim the gold medal in the 4×400 metres relay. Redmond ran the second leg in the final and, together with team-mates Roger Black, John Regis and Kriss Akabusi, ran what was then the second-fastest 4×400 metres relay in history.

Injuries consistently interrupted Redmond’s career. At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, he pulled out of the opening round of the 400 metres 90 seconds before his heat was due because of an injury to his achilles. Before the 1992 Olympics, he had undergone eight operations due to injuries. However, he was in good form by the time of the event. He posted the fastest time of the first round, and went on to win his quarter-final. In the semi-final, Redmond started well, but in the back straight about 250 metres from the finish, his hamstring snapped. He hobbled to a halt, and then fell to the ground in pain. Stretcher bearers made their way over to him, but Redmond decided he wanted to finish the race. He began to hobble along the track. He was soon joined on the track by his father, Jim Redmond, who barged past security and on to the track to get to his son. Jim and Derek completed the lap of the track together, with Derek leaning on his father’s shoulder for support. As they crossed the finish line, the crowd of 65,000 spectators rose to give Derek a standing ovation. However, as his father had helped him finish, Derek was officially disqualified and Olympic records state that he “Did Not Finish” the race.

Redmond’s struggle in the 1992 semi-final later became the subject of one of the International Olympic Committee’s ‘Celebrate Humanity’ videos. In 2008, Redmond was featured in a Visa advertisement promoting the Olympic Games. The advertisement highlights his 1992 injury, noting that “he and his father finished dead last, but he and his father finished”.

Watch The Inspiring video Of How Derek Completed The Race In pain

This video brought tears to my eyes at how a man could be so determined to finish a race. My friends! This life is a race and we must not stop till we get to the finish line. The pains he experienced reminds me of when life hits us with sorrow, frustration, pain etc and we just want to give up on everything…but then…His father coming to help him through the finish line reminds me of our heavenly father, God. Thats what he does! He helps us through. Most of the problems we go through and come out of it successfully, you think its your strength? No! Someone greater than you was right beside you…holding your hands, wiping those tears…

The judges said Derek finished ‘dead’ last…but the world stood up in ovation because whether last or not…they did finish!

My dear friend, I dont know what you might be going through…the video says it all. Do not give up! limp if you have to, crawl if you have to, drag yourself if you have to; but get to the finish line!

Do share with the facebook or twitter button or email this to your friend, you never can tell who is about to give up!

God bless.