Dad Helps Olympic Runner Cross Finish Line After Fall - Staff Picks

Olympic athletes have to be at the top of their game at all times. They push themselves to the limit in order to achieve their goals of competing and succeeding at the Olympic games. No body knows this better than British athlete Derek Redmond.

In 1992, he was at the height of his running career. Derek was a 400-meter record holder and was about to compete in the Barcelona semi-finals. He even had his dad in the stands to cheer him on. But once Derek hit the back straight during the race, he felt an instant burst of pain. His hamstring had snapped and he was forced to the ground.

Despite the excruciating pain, Derek was determined to finish the race even though doctors and officials were already on the track trying to get him to stop. All the other racers had crossed the finish line, but Derek sensed someone else beside him. That’s when he turned to realize that his dad had run onto the track when he saw his son fall to the ground. Derek told his father that he needed to finish the race, so his dad put his arms around Derek and together they began to walk towards the finish line.

There was a standing ovation as this pair clung to each other the entire way. This moving moment has been seen all over the world and it still continues to be an inspiration today. Who else is cheering so loud for this amazing father-son memory? So incredible.