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Jim Redmond, From Famous ‘Father-Son’ 92 Olympics Moment Dead At 81
Jim Redmond, Father Who Helped Injured Son Derek Cross Line At 1992 Olympics Has Passed Away
Derek Redmond’s father, Jim, whose intervention to help his stricken son across the finish line at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona has become an iconic moment in sport, has died at the age of 81.
Redmond ran from his seat in the crowd to embrace Derek, who had torn his hamstring at the top of the home straight in his men’s 400 metres race.
Footage of Redmond helping his son cross the line in the Olympic Stadium in the Spanish city has been viewed millions of times on social media.
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In 2009, United States President Barack Obama chose it as one of the most inspiring moments in Olympic history.
Having broken down with a torn hamstring after 150m of his 400m semi-final, the British record-holder eventually hobbled across the finish line supported by his father Jim, who had rushed down from his seat to help.
The spontaneous father-and-son drama that played itself out on the track in Barcelona on August 3 1992 moved the 65,000 spectators packed into the Montjuic Stadium to gasps of appreciation and a thunderous standing ovation.
That applause has resounded down the years, stimulated by regular reminders of what happened on that evening. The incident was the subject of one of the International Olympic Committee’s “Celebrate Humanity” videos.
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