You hear lots of lip service during the Olympics about the "Olympic Spirit" and desire simply to participate. I always saw it as a way to make the losers feel better about themselves. Ultimately, you come to the Games to win.. Barcelona in 1992 changed all that for me.
British sprinter Derek Redmond came to Barcelona with a good chance of winning a medal in the 400m dash. He was far from the favorite, but was definitely in contention to make the podium. He had always struggled with injuries and had to pull out of the 1988 Games in Seoul just minutes before he was scheduled to run in his preliminary heat. He came into Barcelona healthy though and was ready to challenge the world's best. He performed well in the preliminary heats, posting the fastest time amongst all the competitors and eventually qualified for the semifinals.
During his semifinal heat he took off at the sound of the starter's pistol and raced down the track. Shortly after the first turn his right hamstring popped. Initially he stopped and went to his knees, but after a few moments he gets to his feet and starts hopping around the track in an attempt to finish the race. Moments later his father pushes his way past security and races onto the track to help his son. Arm in arm and with tears streaming from their eyes, father and son, cross the finish line.
It is officially listed to this day that Redmond did not finish the race. But in his eyes and the eyes of the capacity crowd that gave him a standing ovation, he finished with honor. If ever an athlete personified the true Olympic Spirit, it was Redmond.
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