You cannot measure courage
"Strength is measured in
pounds. Speed is measured in seconds, courage? You cannot measure courage."
This was the message proclaimed in the video named celebrate humanity
framed by international Olympic committee after witnessing a courageous act by
an athlete in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
In 1991, Derek Redmond, Great
Britain's best runner in the Men's 400 Meter event broke his own record (set in
1987) by 1/100th of a second. It was a National record that he held going into
the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Derek's life goal was to win a Gold
Medal in these games. The day came for the semi-finals in the 400 meters and
Derek knew this would be the race of his life. Up against the world’s best
runners, he knew that he had to do his best. When the gun sounded
Derek got off to a great start.
Then suddenly about 250 meters from the finish
Derek heard a pop, followed by a shooting pain that ran up his leg.His tendon had just torn. His face turned
ashen.With a torn hamstring, Derek began hopping on
one leg, then slowed down and fell to the track. He grabbed his leg and rolled
around on the ground.
Those who were in close proximity heard him
scream out in agony. All the years, the sweat, the pain, the sacrifice; all of
his training had come down to these few minutes in time, and then this had to
happen.
Tears
poured down Derek’s face, and all he could think was, “I don’t want to take a
DNF” (did not finish). Derek couldn’t stand the thought of having DNF written
beside his name at the Olympics.
As the paramedics approached him with
stretchers, he waved them off, grimacing in tears. The stunned crowd couldn’t
believe what they were seeing.
Gradually, they realized that Derek was not
dropping out of the race. He was not limping off the track in
defeat, but was actually continuing on one leg, in a fiercely determined effort
to make it to the finish line.
Quitting was not a part of his vocabulary.
Derek’s father Jim, who was in
the stadium, came rushing towards the track. He pushed off the officials.His father had no
Olympic credentials. He wasn’t supposed to be on the track, but all he could
think about was getting to his son, to help him up.
He came to Derek’s side and told him “You
don’t have to do this son”. Derek refused and said “Yes
I do”. Jim said “Well, then we are going to finish this together”.
And they finished the race
with Derek’s pain and anguish increasing with each step. Derek put his hand
across his dad’s shoulders and sobbed.
Together, the father and son finished the race
receiving a standing ovation from a crowd of over 65000.
Now, 20 years after the race,
hardly a few people remember who won that semifinal or for that matter, the
finals. But, all remember Derek Redmond for demonstrating the purest and most
courageous example of determination.
Things don’t always work out
the way you would like. But when you don’t give up you cannot fail.
Two years after the Olympics in Barcelona, he
was told by a surgeon that he would never run again or represent his country in
sports. However after coming to terms with the loss of athletics as his career,
he began to turn his attention to the other sports he enjoyed.
After trials at several
basketball clubs, he secured a place on the Great Britain national basketball
team. He signed a photo of the team to the surgeon who had assured him that he
would never represent his country in sports again.
Redmond currently does
motivational speaking on the conference circuit inspiring people with his
courageous story.
Courage is sometimes conscious, sometimes
not. Become clear on what you really value, understand your own basis for
determining right and wrong, and be willing to take the right action for the
right reasons. Acting with courage more consciously and more often will be a
wonderful source of fulfilment and satisfaction.
Courage is not freedom from fear: it is being
afraid and going on.
Courage is sticking your neck out for
something you believe in. It’s an action, not a thought.
Courage is the greatest of all the virtues,
because if you don’t have courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any
of the other virtues. There is a famous quotation …
“Come to the edge” life said.
They said “We are afraid.”
“Come to the edge” life
said.
They came.
It pushed them.
They flew.
It
takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before, to
test your limits, to break through barriers.
Never ever forget
He who loses wealth loses much;
He who loses a friend loses more;
He who loses courage loses it all.
A very inspirative article. And the most suitable title "COSMIC DREAMER". Very good attempt Deepthi. Keep it up. I would like to read more articles from your pen of thoughts.
ReplyDeletethank you very much :)
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