Grit and Determination: Derek Redmond OLY – World & European Relay Champion & Motivational Speaker – inspiring leadership interview with Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE          

121. Derek Redmond OLY – World & European relay champion & Motivational Speaker                          

He first rose to prominence in 1985 when he broke the 400m British record achieving a time of 44.82 seconds 12 months later he was selected in the 4x400m relay team for the European Championships in Stuttgart.

Great Britain won gold in what was a sure sign of things to come. A year later they won a silver medal at the World Championships in Rome. By the time the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo arrived Derek had established himself as one of Britain’s best athletes. Alongside Kriss Akabusi, John Regis and Roger Black he then stunned the sporting world as Britain triumphed over the favourites USA to win gold. Their run remains the second fastest 4x400m run in history.

Having now proved himself as a relay athlete, Derek went about trying to do the same as an individual runner. At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, representing his country he became part of one of the most inspirational scenes in Olympic history.

In the 400m semi-final Derek went into the race amongst the favourites but as he passed the 250m mark he tore his hamstring. Determined to finish the race he hobbled to the finish line with the help of his father as a 65,000-strong crowd cheered him on. This incident has since been voted one of the Olympics’ most inspirational moments by US network NBC and even referenced by Barack Obama in a presidential speech.

This injury signalled an end to his athletics career, but, committed to not letting his injury keep him down, he has since played basketball for England and played rugby 7s.

Derek’s story is truly inspiring and he now works as a motivational speaker sharing his remarkable story with audiences up and down the country. He has worked with a wide range of high profile brands delivering his inspiring stories from the track in corporate environments.

At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, representing his country he became part of one of the most inspirational scenes in Olympic history. In the 400m semi-final Derek went into the race amongst the favourites but as he passed the 250m mark he tore his hamstring. Determined to finish the race he hobbled to the finish line with the help of his father as a 65,000-strong crowd cheered him on. This incident has since been voted one of the Olympics’ most inspirational moments by US network NBC and even referenced by Barack Obama in a presidential speech.   

“Derek Redmond bravely making it through with little help, moments of euphoria after years of hard work.
Moments when the human spirit triumphs over injury that should have been impossible to overcome.“
-President Barack Obama