#2

UNLIKELY SPORTS HEROES

This morning I was reading a story talking about sports miracles/heroes that was tied to the autistic boy I mentioned last post. Someone brought up the story of Derek Redmond. The name was unfamiliar, so I googled it. (Google--what a wonderful tool)

I only wish I could've seen this live.

Rewind to the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Redmond was a British runner who had already overcome several hurdles--but we're not talking the kind you jump over in a race.

In 1988, Redmond was eager to make a name for himself. As a 19 year old, he had already set the British record in the 400. Who knows what he could do in the Olympics?

However, he was forced to withdraw 10 minutes before the race started, because of an injured Achilles tendon. What was once natural to him became a struggle, as he underwent five surgeries to attempt to allow him to race again.

The excruciating rehabilitation process paid off. He was back at the Olympics four years later.

The morning of the race, in a discussion with his father, he vowed that he would finish the race, no matter what happened.

Redmond amazingly pulled out to lead the race, when only 175 meters from the finish, the unthinkable happened--he tore his hamstring. He attempted to continue, but after taking a few steps he fell to the ground.

Paramedics rushed to his side, but he pushed them away. He had to finish the race. Tears streamed down Derek's face as his dad ran past security guards and onto the track. He placed his arm around him, and the two of them struggled to make it to the finish line.

By now, they were the main focus of the crowd and the other competitors. Everyone went crazy as only a few steps from the end, Derek's father let go, so his son could finish on his own.

He did.

Stories like this make sports what it is. It is a welcome break from the constant Shaq/Kobe drama (they need to just get married or something), whether or not Barry Bonds is going to retire (I could care less. Don't let the door hit you on the way out), or the debauchery of the Minnesota Vikings on a charter cruise ship (They're vikings! What do you expect)

Next time we think that things are getting out of hand and there isn't any way we can go on, we should think of Derek Redmond. If we set our mind to it, we can do anything we want.