From Ch. 2 of Mile Marker 825...

In a more modern example, Olympic runner Derek Redmond was determined to win a medal in the 400 meter race at the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona. Favored to make the finals, Redmond sprinted down the backstretch, only 175 meters away from the finish line. Suddenly, he pulled up lame, having torn his right hamstring. Dropping to his knees, Redmond crawled for a few seconds, his face revealing excruciating pain. Then, slowly and painfully, Redmond dragged himself to his feet and began hopping on one leg before dropping again to the track. As he lay there, clutching his right leg, a medical personnel unit ran toward him. His father, Jim Redmond, seeing his son in trouble, raced down from the top row of the stands, sidestepping people, bumping into others. He had no credential to be on the track, but none of this mattered. He just had to get to his son.

On the track, Redmond knew his dream of an Olympic medal was gone. Tears streamed down his face. As the medical crew arrived with a stretcher, Redmond told them, "There's no way I'm getting on that stretcher. I'm going to finish my race." Then, in an iconic sporting moment that millions remember, Redmond lifted himself to his feet, ever so slowly, and started hobbling down the track. The other runners had already finished the race and now watched their competitor and friend with tears in their eyes. Everyone quickly realized Redmond wasn't dropping out of the race, but was instead continuing on one leg. He was going to attempt to hobble his way to the finish line, all by himself, all in the name of pride and heart.

Jim Redmond, still desperately running to aid his son, finally reached the bottom of the stands. He climbed over the railing, head-faked a security guard, and ran out to his child. "That's my son out there," he yelled back to security, "and I'm going to help him." Finally, with Derek refusing to surrender and painfully limping along the track, Jim reached his son at the final curve, about 120 meters from the finish, and wrapped his arm around his waist. "I'm here, son. We'll finish together." Derek put his arms around his father's shoulders and sobbed. Together, arm in arm, father and son finished the race, with 65,000 people cheering, clapping and crying, witnessing what could be called a modern version of the gospel.

Scripture tells us that God is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2), and that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion..." (Phil. 1:6). More importantly than anything else, this Olympic race pictured God, the loving Father, genuinely looking out for His children in the rough times of life's trials.

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