For the past two weeks, my wife and I sat glued to the television in anticipation of the nightly Olympic recap. In that time, we saw some amazing athletes do some amazing things. We also got to see sports that are rarely covered in the media, like badminton, table tennis, and sport climbing (I was particularly impressed with sport climbing given that I’ve scaled a few climbing walls in my day).
I truly believe that sports are the best theater and that some of the storylines that develop while the athletes compete are what make the Olympics so compelling. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat (as “NBC’s Wide World of Sports” used to claim in their weekly telecast) are boldly on display at the Games.
NBC did a great job digging underneath the surface of the competitors to showcase not only their abilities but the struggles that got them to their special moment. These stories are the perfect accompaniment to the events, and the primary reason viewers come back night after night.
And while the victories always seem to be the most memorable moments, sometimes it’s the failures that stick with you the longest. That was certainly the case for sprinter Derek Redmond.
Derek Redmond’s Olympic story is one of the most inspiring and heart-wrenching tales in sports history, unfolding during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where Redmond was competing in the 400-meter sprint.
Redmond, a British athlete, had already faced significant challenges in his career. He had been forced to withdraw from the 1988 Seoul Olympics due to an Achilles tendon injury just minutes before his race. Determined to prove himself in Barcelona, Redmond started strong, winning his heat and quarter-final with impressive times.
As the semi-final began, Redmond burst out of the blocks with confidence. However, about 250 meters into the race, disaster struck. His hamstring suddenly tore, causing him to stumble and fall to the track in agony. The other runners quickly sped past him, leaving Redmond alone on the track, his Olympic dreams shattered once again.
I was watching this race when it occurred and I grimaced as the reality of his injury became evident. I’ve pulled my hamstring while running and it is excruciating. When it happened to me many years ago, I could barely get myself off the ground.
Despite the excruciating pain, Redmond rose to his feet and began to hobble towards the finish line. The crowd of 65,000 spectators watched in awe as he struggled forward, determined to complete the race he had started.
After a few moments, a figure emerged from the stands. It was Jim Redmond, Derek’s father, who had pushed past security to reach his son. Jim put his arm around Derek, supporting him as they made their way towards the finish line together. Derek was overcome by emotion and began to cry, the tears split between the emotional and physical pain.
Once the crowd realized what was happening, they rose to a standing ovation, moved by the powerful display of determination and paternal love. When you watch this video (it’s available on YouTube), I guarantee you will get emotional.
Although Redmond was officially disqualified for receiving outside assistance, his courageous effort to finish the race became one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history. It has since been featured in numerous Olympic retrospectives and advertisements, while also giving Redmond a second act as a highly sought-after motivational speaker.
Derek Redmond’s story reminds us that sometimes, the most inspiring victories in sports are not about winning medals, but about the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.
In this week’s feature, “Twisters,” we meet a ragtag group of storm chasers who stare into the face of adversity, but in their case, the adversity takes the form of devastating tornados.
Clearly inspired by the 1996 hit, “Twister,” starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, “Twisters” is a reimagining of the same story, albeit with a younger cast and a little more tech. And that may be my biggest criticism with the follow-up: the cast was just a little too young to make this story believable.
Every summer needs a blockbuster and while “Twisters” may not be considered the hit of this summer, it is the kind of film that makes going to the theater worth your while. “Twisters” has some great special effects, plenty of anxious moments, and a little bit of sexual tension just to keep it cheeky.
Check this one out if you want a solid 2-hour distraction. You may not remember much the next day, but it’s fun while it’s happening.
A turbulent “B-” for “Twisters,” now playing in theaters everywhere.
Got a question or comment for Dom? You can email him at moviediary@att.net.
