Derek Redmond facts for kids
Redmond in 2007
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality | British (English) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 3 September 1965 Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, England |
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| Height | 183 cm | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 70 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 400m | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Birchfield Harriers | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Derek Anthony Redmond, born on September 4, 1965, is a famous British sprinter who is now retired. During his career, he held the British record for the 400 metres sprint. He also won gold medals in the 4 × 400 metres relay at the World Championships and European Championships.
At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Derek faced a big challenge. He tore his hamstring (a muscle in his leg) during the 400 metres semi-final race. Even though he was hurt, he decided to keep going. He limped along the track, and his father came out to help him. Together, they finished the race, and the crowd gave them a huge cheer. This moment became a very famous part of Olympic history. It showed amazing courage and the true Olympic spirit.
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About Derek Redmond
Derek Redmond was born in Bletchley, England. His parents were immigrants from the West Indies. He went to school at Roade School in Northamptonshire, where a sports hall is now named after him. Derek is a big fan of the football team Newcastle United.
Derek was married to British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies from 1994 to 2000. They had two children together. In 2011, Derek married Maria Yates and adopted her two children.
Derek's Athletics Career
Derek Redmond was a four-time British champion in the 400 metres race. He won the British AAA Championships title in 1991. He was also the top British athlete in the 1985, 1987, and 1992 AAA Championships.
Breaking Records
Derek first broke the British record for the 400 metres in 1985. He ran the race in 44.82 seconds. Later, another runner, Roger Black, broke his record. But Derek got the record back in 1987. He ran even faster, finishing in 44.50 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Rome.
Relay Race Success
In 1986, Derek was part of the British team that won a gold medal. They won the 4 × 400 metres relay at the European Championships. The next year, his team won a silver medal in the same relay race at the World Championships.
At the 1991 World Championships, Derek's team did something amazing. They beat the strong American team to win the gold medal in the 4 × 400 metres relay. Derek ran the second part of the race. With his teammates Roger Black, John Regis, and Kriss Akabusi, they ran one of the fastest 4 × 400 metres relays ever at that time.
Dealing with Injuries
Injuries often made it hard for Derek to compete. At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, he had to pull out of the 400 metres race because of an Achilles tendon injury. Before the 1992 Summer Olympics, he had already had eight operations because of different injuries.
The 1992 Barcelona Olympics
By the time of the Barcelona Olympics, Derek was in great shape. He ran the fastest time in the first round and won his quarter-final race. But in the semi-final, about 250 metres from the finish line, his hamstring tore. He stopped, falling to the ground in pain.
Stretcher bearers came to help him, but Derek decided he wanted to finish the race. He started to hobble along the track. Soon, his father, Jim Redmond, came onto the track to be with his son. Jim and Derek finished the lap together, with Derek leaning on his father for support.
As they crossed the finish line, the crowd of 65,000 people stood up and cheered loudly for Derek. Even though his father helped him, which meant Derek was officially disqualified, this moment is still remembered as a powerful example of courage. Olympic records show he "Did Not Finish" the race, but his spirit shone brightly.
This moment was later shown in one of the International Olympic Committee's "Celebrate Humanity" videos. It said: "Strength is measured in pounds. Speed is measured in seconds. Courage? You can't measure courage." In 2008, Derek was also in a Visa advertisement promoting the Olympic Games. The ad showed his 1992 injury and said, "he and his father finished dead last, but he and his father finished."
Derek's father, Jim Redmond, was an Olympic torch bearer for the London Summer Games in 2012. Jim Redmond passed away in October 2022.
Life After Athletics
Two years after the Barcelona Olympics, a surgeon told Derek he might never run or represent his country in sports again. But Derek didn't give up. With his father's encouragement, he started to try other sports he enjoyed. He went on to play professional basketball for the Birmingham Bullets and the England national team.
Derek also worked as the Director of Development for sprints and hurdles for UK Athletics.
In 1994, Derek won a TV show called Celebrity Gladiators. He also worked as the "Official Timekeeper" for the TV show Gladiators. Derek has been a commentator for Eurosport and hosted a basketball show on ITV.
Since retiring from athletics, Derek Redmond has been a motivational speaker. He shares his life story to inspire others. He was recently named one of the top motivational speakers for corporate events.
See also
In Spanish: Derek Redmond para niños
