Call me old-fashioned, but I am still one of those people that believes in the power of sportsmanship. The games we all love to watch on TV and in stadiums are not just about the amazing athletes we see perform, it is also about the amazing feelings we all get when you see athletes compete. The drive to compete is in a lot of us and it pushes us to do amazing things, but competition is not only stimulating for the athlete or the coach. For the spectators, it is an amazing feeling to be able to witness your favorite team come from behind or demolish their rivals.

While browsing espn.com, I came across their list of top 100 moments of the last 25 years in this, "The Year of the Fan". Now, espn comes out with a new Top 10 list of something or other every day or two and a Top 25 or Top 100 at least a couple of times a year, so I generally pay no attention when they are listing their choice du jour. This past weekend, however, I did stop and check out Moment 94, the story of Derek Redmond.

I don't want to rehash the entire article, but Redmond was a promising sprinter from the UK who had battled injuries, but was feeling healthy and ready to challenge for a medal during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He was on his way to winning his first heat in the 400M competition, but tore his hamstring on the last curve and began reeling in pain.

Now for most athletes, their dream shattered, they lie on the side of the field, tears flowing, and let the stretcher carry them off. Redmond, however, had come to far, and he was determined to finish the race even if his dream of a medal would never be realized. Now, if you have never had a hamstring tear, imagine that somebody stuck stabbed you in the back of the leg with a 6-inch knife. The leg might as well not be attached. Redmond, on one leg, began to hobble along finishing the race.

Redmond's father, who was in the stadium, raced down to aid his son. As the crowd began to notice what Redmond was doing, people began to rise and cheer for the wounded runner, understanding his dream was gone, but realizing what it would mean for him to finish. Redmond's father reached his son and with his help, Derek was at least able to complete one part of his Olympic dream.

Of course this story is a sappy one, but I think it means a lot. If you are like me, you wonder what you would have done in the same situation. After working so hard to get up to that point, do you let them carry you off, or do you beat the odds and finish the race?

Unfortunately, at this time the Olympics is filled with scandal. Doping among athletes and bribery among officials are the big headlines. With tensions high all over the world, safety is a big concern. As we prepare for the opening ceremonies in a couple of months, I for one will be waiting to watch greatness of competition in action once again.

« When Bureaucrats Think Outside The Box | Main | Now Boarding: LAX -DTE-could be a bit of Turbulence »

Posted in Sports by J-Unit at 3:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Last Comment: b-side on Jun 10, 2004 02:43 PM.