Don't Give Up

Don’t Give Up

          Derek Redmond was getting ready on the track to have a final 400 meters burst. The years of hard-work was on the test. It was the mega show, the greatest sporting event and a medal there was a dream every sportsman lived for. Those who had worked hard for years, months and hours had gathered there and were battling it out for seconds. Derek was a front runner for the medal. All he had to do was to muster everything he had done relentlessly and run like a coherent beam of light. The winner would certainly be determined by photo finish. He just had to run, leave rest to electronic gadgets. The pistol was fired , Derek was on his way to conquer the longest distance to glory for the journey did not begin at the sound of rounds fired, it began with the first ever lap he completed when he began training. This was the last lap to glory. 150 meters into the race he felt acute pain. Pain mounted, ruptured hamstring it was.  It was difficult for him to continue. Unable to run he was on his knees. The acute physical pain was followed by unbearable emotional agony, it was clear he would not be there waving hands, watching his flag rising up to the tune of national anthem.  His dream lay scattered on the track.  He did not run but tears did. They were unstoppable.

         In the pain and agony rose Derek, once again he began his journey towards the line of finish. But this time he was not running but was limping. A new race began, he was racing against his own emotional tormenting hurdles. Tears rolling down, his body moved carrying on face severe distress, it must have been quite heavier for it also carried the burden of destroyed dream and bleeding soul. He was limping on the track, he was not alone, the companion was his unwanted baggage of physical and emotional stress. Then he had a company. A man broke onto the track. He gave a hand of support to Derek, probably that was what he wanted. The man was his father giving him much needed support. He said you need not have to run like this. Derek was not listening. The father yielded but decided that they would run together. As they came closer to finishing line the father let him go. He alone finished the race. 65000 strong crowd gave standing ovation. It was Barcelona 1993 Olympics. It’s a legend now. A famous inspirational video on youtube.  

           Whenever I watch this video I choke. Talking about it is difficult. When the dream you live for, the dream you pursue gets destroyed within seconds total collapse is inevitable. What is so touching and still wonderful about this legend is Derek proves by his own example that sports is not about winning the race but it is all about finishing it against all odds. Had he moved away from the track nobody would have raised voice against, taking it as obvious and wise decision but what nobody would have seen is the distance he would have gone backward internally.  Reverting this emotional backward journey is toughest of tasks, it seriously challenges intellectual faculty.  Derek did it by simply completing the race, though limping throughout.  In every small little step he travelled miles of distance internally that would have taken serious efforts on his part and had he failed in covering that distance he would have collapsed emotionally making even physical recovery difficult. A simple lesson he teaches don’t stop at failures for it’s a milestone. Just don’t give up. Things may not go as planned, dream may be shattered but just don’t give up. Easier said than done when win is in your stride and things go wrong. Race may be lost but spirit must survive.

             This is a highly inspirational video. Derek received standing ovation from the crowd but what is missed easily is the father who shares track with his limping son and near finishing line lets him go alone to finish. He must have lived the dream of his son so was he with his son in his moment of pain. When he joins him on the track persuading him not to run while limping he was a caring father who was concerned more about injury that the medal but when he gives support to his son and moves along the track he becomes his caring friend who understands his spirit of finishing the race. And when finally he leaves Derek to cross the finishing line alone, he shows terrific emotional stability and maturity for this one act gave Derek an opportunity to sense satisfaction in moments of misery. The father shows us how to live dream of a son. The attitude of Derek appeals to me and so also of his fathers. And his fantastic act of leaving him alone allows Derek to regain self confidence.  

      My feeling is that under the shadow of don’t give up attitude of Derek a sweet little but equally enthralling act of his father fades easily. Living the dream of children is a difficult task. So often the parents thrust their dream on sons/daughters. They usually want children to live their dream. Many parents with sincerity and honesty feel that they are better judge of future of their children. What probably begins here ends at the parents obsessed with what their son/daughter should become.  Derek’s father shows us how to live the dream of his son, provide necessary support emotional as well as physical but at the same time remain detached. Sensing this boundary is difficult but Derek’s father shows it with great simplicity. At the final moment he lets him go, he didn’t get carried away by the support Derek was getting from the crowd.  I wonder how many fathers in India would be able to pleasantly detach at such moment. But they should for the simple reason that it’s not their innings but of sons and daughters. The spirit of finishing the race against odds must be induced in them, parents must lend a supporting hand, and refrain from being the carter to carry them to end.

          In a country where we think it’s natural for father to expect from his son to fulfill his dreams, live up to his expectations this video could be an eye opener but I really wonder whether fathers will take anything for them to ponder over rather most would prefer to showcase this as an inspirational video and would expect sons and daughters to show never give up attitude in adverse situation when the dream is in peril. But the real question is whose dream?

         I find myself part of the two races one in which I am destined to run in my day to day life there I see myself as Derek for whom everything didn’t go the way he wanted but still was determined to finish the race and another that has just began in which my daughters are destined to run. The terrific attitude of not giving up of Derek is an inspiration for me to stand in the first race but the sensitive and mature approach of his father is a lesson I need to learn to deal with the second race.