AN INSPIRATIONAL DOSE OF DEREK REDMOND

JUAINY SALALILA AGGABAO Derek Redmond was born on September 3, 1965 and is a British athlete who has retired now. He held record for 400 meters sprint and has won gold medals in the World Championships, Europian Championships, and in the Commonwealth Games.

I was inspired right when I found this story about him, when I was looking for a certain sport to cover for my Sports News in our Campus Journalism in the internet. I saw this story posted with a video and the background music is "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban. The video was all focused to Derek R. While I'm watching the video, I was totally amazed by his performance, because he is really fast and he seems like Flash in the Justice Leagu e.

Redmond started well, but in the back straight about 250 meters from the finish line, his hamstring suddenly snapped. His leg was quivering, and then he began hopping one leg, slows down, and fell on the track. I became worried and scared of that incident, I thought that he would stop and quit the race because you really can't paint his face that was full of hurt and pain. While he was laying on the track, clutching his right leg hamstring, a medical personnel unit ran towards him. And when they made their way over him, Redmond refused and decided to finish the race.

In that moment, it would live forever in the minds of millions, that when Redmond lifted himself to his feet, ever so slowly, and started hobbling along the track with pain etched upon his face. He was soon joined on the track by his father, who barged fast on security guards to get to his son.

The other runners had finished the race with Steve Lewis of the U.S. won the contest in 44. 50.

Slowly, the crowds in total disbelief, rose and began to roar. The roar gets louder and louder. Together arm-in-arm father and son with 65,000 of people cheering, clapping, and crying just as they vowed they would. A couple of steps to the finish line and in the crowd in an obsolete frenzy, Jim releases the grip on his son, so Derek could cross the finish line by himself. And then he threw his arms around Derek again, both crying along with everyone in the stands and on TV.

And they gave Derek a standing ovation. However as his father helped him finish, Derek was officially disqualified and Olympic records stated that "He Did Not Finish The Race" But in the publics' perception he had finished and done it so heroically.

So it ends there, and that instills a faith in our own strength and telling us that don't give up, no matter what things may have come before us, how big walls will be, how long and strong storms will stand, we have to fight to for our desires.

We have to reach our goals in life no matter how hard, and how far we go with it. Always remember that God will never give us trials, if He knows that we can't handle it. Be strong and keep trying. Just believe in him.