How Derek Redmond made Olympic history in 1992
Derek Redmond is one of Britain's most recognisable athletes. As part of the Team GB relay team, he broke the British 400m record on two occasions and was widely considered one of the country's best athletes during his career, which spanned over two decades in the 1980s and 90s.
But breaking records isn't what he is most known for.
At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, he became part of one of the most emotional and memorable moments in Olympic history. It was also his first Olympic games after cruelly missing the 1988 Seoul Olympics after having to withdraw minutes before his first race with a tendonitis injury.
Finally, on the biggest stage of all, Redmond took his first two heats by storm; he won the first two rounds comfortably and posted the fastest time in the first-round heats and it was looking like the medal was his, however, fate would be a cruel mistress.
In the semi-final, as he reached the 250m mark, he tore his hamstring. Using sheer determination, he vowed not to be stretched off the Olympic stage. With the 65,000-strong crowd cheered him on, Derek limped his way to the finish line with his father joining him and supporting him as a crutch. It was an incredible and admirable moment for all nations to see.
Unfortunately, it was later decided that Redmond was disqualified and listed as "Did Not Finish" due to receiving outside assistance from his father, but that moment has since been labelled as one of the Olympics' most inspirational moments by US network NBC and has even been referenced by Barack Obama in his inauguration speech.
Barcelona turned out to be his final major race, and although he was told by surgeons he would never run again, Redmond was not deterred from carrying on his sporting career. He has since gone on to play basketball for England as well as playing for the rugby 7's, reaching the first division with Coventry.
Derek Redmond once said to Olympics.com...
Someone once asked me, 'how do you become successful?" and the easiest, and most relevant answer, is to get up just one more time than you've been knocked down.
What is Derek Redmond doing now?
Since his retirement from elite sport, Redmond has made a prominent name for himself as a motivational speaker. His story is truly inspirational and he shares it so passionately, which is why he is a popular choice for a guest speaker on our platform.
If you'd like to book Derek for a virtual or an in-person event, you can do so by submitting a free request here.
If you're unsure of budget requirements, check out our Guest Speaker Budget Guide