OLYMPIC chiefs united in tribute to Jim Redmond, father of former Team GB sprinter Derek, after his death at the age of 81.
Redmond Snr famously ran from the Barcelona crowd onto the track during the 1992 Games after his son pulled up in anguish in his 400m semi-final.
Derek, then 26, pinged his right hamstring 170 metres into the race, crumbling to his knees before standing to hop round the track in heartbreak and pain.
His father, who was in the seats at the start of the second bend, jumped over the barriers to help his son complete the circuit, waving away the Games officials who tried to stop him.
It was an iconic image as Redmond, who had won world championship relay gold the previous year, saw his Olympic dream destroyed and he never raced again, although he did subsequently play basketball for the Birmingham Bullets.
The IOC hailed the act as part of their “Celebrate Humanity” video series, which included the message: “You can’t measure courage.”
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In response to the news of Redmond Snrs death, the IOC said: “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.”
And the British Olympic Association added: “Rest in peace Jim Redmond, father to Derek, whose Olympic moment will never be forgotten.”
Redmond died on Sunday at Northampton General Hospital.
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Following Jim’s death, Team GB posted a clip of the iconic moment, writing: “Rest in peace Jim Redmond, father to Derek, whose Olympic moment will never be forgotten.”
Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who was married to Derek for six years between 1994 and 2000, wrote: “Yesterday my ex-father-in-law, Grace & Elliott’s granddad Jim Redmond gently passed away to that great running track in the sky.
“No dad could have been more supportive or a better husband to Jenny. He will be sadly missed x.”
Fans flocked to Twitter to pay their respects to Jim Redmond.
One wrote: “RIP Jim Redmond – the high water mark that all us fathers should aspire to.”
While a second added: “RIP Jim Redmond, one of the greatest fathers of all-time.”
Another tweeted: “I cried when I watched this live, and I seem to have something in my eye now. RIP Jim Redmond.”
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After the race in 1992, Jim said: “Whatever happened, he had to finish – and I was going to help him finish…
“We started his career together and we were going to finish it together.”
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
