When your heart is broken and your dreams are shattered, you need someone strong to lean on. I was reminded of this afresh with the news that Jim Redmond had died at the age of 81, writes Passion for Sport digital media producer Russ Bravo.
Jim was the father of British athlete Derek Redmond, who he famously helped limp over the finish line in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics 400m semi-final, after his son had tragically pulled his hamstring in the home straight.
As bbc.co.uk aptly paid tribute: “Redmond ran from his seat in the crowd to assist his son, who had torn his hamstring at the top of the home straight.
“The pair then finished the 400m semi-final together.
“The British Olympic Association said his was an Olympic moment that will ‘never be forgotten’.
“The footage has been viewed millions of times on social media and the International Olympic Committee said on Twitter: ‘Our thoughts are with Derek Redmond and his family following the death of his father, Jim.
‘Together, they brought us one of the most inspirational moments in Olympic history.’
“In an interview with BBC Sport in 2012, Derek Redmond said that when he suffered the injury, he just wanted to finish the race and became aware of his father running over to him.
“‘He tried to talk me out of it at first,’ he recalled. ‘He was telling me that I had nothing to prove and that I didn't need to do this, but I told him I was going to finish. Then he said that we would do it together.
“‘So we did, and I limped over the line in tears.’”
All sportsmen and women are driven by dreams of glory – breaking a record, winning a medal, lifting a trophy, representing their country, being the best. And the law of averages means only a few achieve that glory, and many have to live with lesser achievements.
Derek Redmond was determined to finish the race, despite the pain and the crushing disappointment he must have been feeling. And his dad couldn’t watch his son hobble round alone, so dashed to be by his side, helping him over the finish line.
It’s an inspirational illustration of an athlete’s determination to finish the race, and a father’s love for his son, determined to share in his sufferings and provide strength and encouragement for him not to give up.
For Christians, we know that Jesus promises never to leave or forsake us, regardless of whatever we face in life. God’s Spirit is at work in us day by day, using our circumstances to shape our characters and transform us gradually into the likeness of Jesus.
And the Bible has this great picture in chapter 12 of the letter to the Hebrews, as the apostle Paul describes both the Christian journey as a race, and the believers who have gone before us like a crowd at a marathon, urging on the participants:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Thanks to Jim Redmond, we have an enduring picture of a father’s love and encouragement in action. You can watch the video at www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/63128944