Atletismo
History
Derek Redmond: "I decided that the Olympics would not beat me"
Generally, it is through the podium that a competitor writes his name in the sport's history, or even becomes an international hero. However, hardly anyone remembers today that it was American athlete Quincy Watts who won the 400m in Barcelona 1992. Let alone that Steve Lewis, also from the USA, finished the semi-final in first place, clocking 44.40 seconds. The event has gone into the history books because of an athlete who did not even qualify for the final, but had the 65 thousand spectators at the stadium on their feet rooting for him.
That year, Briton Dereck Redmond wanted to bury his ghosts from Seoul 1988, when an Achilles heel injury took him out of the competition 10 minutes before his heat. Everything looked as if it would work out in Barcelona. A year earlier, the athlete had been part of the relay team that had scooped up the gold at the 4x400m at the World Championships in Tokyo. His physical preparation was at its peak. "I was in the best shape of my career. It was the best chance I had of winning an Olympic medal, particularly the gold", says Derek.
All expectation and preparation was in vain when a 250m into the race, he injured his right hamstring. A completely different injury than the one he had experienced four years earlier and once again, Derek watched his dream slip away. "It was very difficult. The injury came at the wrong time, in the middle of a race. It was not easy dealing with that", mentions the Briton, in an interview given to brasil2016.gov.br.
Nevertheless, Derek was in the limelight seconds after the incident. Crying a lot and visibly in a lot of pain, the athlete got up and waving doctors and the organisation cameras away, he hopped on one foot in the Olympic lane in an attempt to finish the race. "One of the things that made me go on was a little frustration, because I had many injuries and didn't want to believe it was happening again", he explains. "I was upset and frustrated and at that moment decided that the Olympics would not beat me. I would at least finish the race. And that's what made me continue to run", he justifies.
Spectators were applauding and supporting the athlete when a man invaded the track and lent him his shoulder to help him finish the race. It was his father Jim. "The first thing I said to him was 'help me get back on my lane', which was number 5, because I wanted to finish the race. Firstly, my father wanted me to stop, so as not to hurt my leg even more, but I said 'no, get me back on lane 5'. Then he said 'ok'", recalls Dereck. "I knew he was in Barcelona, we had talked earlier, but I was surprised when he came onto the track", he adds.
Distant podium
Almost 24 years after what happened, Derek is still a reference of the sporting spirit. In 2012, the Briton's attitude was elected the third most stunning Olympic moment in history in a vote taken with viewers of American network NBC. President Barack Obama himself has mentioned the athlete's perseverance during a speech. Despite all the exposure, he says: I would change it all for an Olympic podium.
"It was a great honour to have been mentioned by Barack Obama in a speech. I think that shows how much an Olympic moment may mean to other people, but if I had to choose, I'd rather have the medal than the moment", he says. "It was the best chance I had. We can't go back in time. I'm a little sad and frustrated for never having won an Olympic medal", he adds.
Talking about it was not always easy. "I understand that people see what happened as a great Olympic moment, but for me it was something natural. I had to finish. Sometimes it might be difficult to see this in the same angle as other people do", he assesses. "I needed some years before I was able to talk about it and not get upset", recalls the former athlete, who broke the British record twice, won the 4x400m relay in the European Championship and in the Commonwealth Games, both in 1986, as well as picking up a silver medal in the 1987 Championship.
Motivational talks
However, talking about the past has become part of Derek's routine today, to the point that he gives motivational talks to athletes, clubs and particularly in the business area. "People started to get in touch with me saying I inspired them", he explains. "Every day someone reminds of Barcelona, through messages on Twitter, Facebook or e-mail. Every day someone will remind me, or I'll read something about it", he says.
He had seven surgeries in two years, but despite this athletics was no longer a possibility for him. The 1992 injury brought the Briton's Olympic career to an end. "I tried coming back for three years, but there were too many injuries and surgeries. After three years, I was warned by doctors that if I continued to damage myself, it could get to a point where I would not be able to walk anymore", he recalls.
Without wanting to be away from sports, he stood out in other sports. "I played basketball for England and then I moved onto Rugby. I've always loved sports and I'm very competitive", he states. Today, in addition to the talks he gives, the former athlete still finds time to do motorcycling and kickboxing. "I've always been a positive person. I've always believed that I could win medals, that good things would come and I tried not to think in all the bad stuff that could happen. I kept that out of my mind and only dealt with when something happened", he says.
The pain does not affect him anymore. "I'm getting older and better", he jokes, saying that the hamstring would only be a hindrance in 'sprints' or long distance running. Hardened by the past and pleased with the present, Derek expects a successful edition of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "I hope it's really good, with great performances. You have the weather on your side. I'm sure that you're going to host very good Games. I hope I can come and watch", he adds.
Ana Cláudia Felizola - brasil2016.gov.br
