Jim Redmond, the memorable father who helped his injured son cross the finish line at the Olympics, has died at the age of 81.
In 1999, Derek Redmond was a sprinter for Great Britain who had torn his hamstring during his men's 400 meters semi-final.
During the race, Derek charged out of the blocks, looking strong until shortly before the race's halfway mark, he suddenly grabbed the back of his right thigh and grimaced in pain. He then leaped on the track in agony, as the rest of the athletes sprinted on.
Alone on the track, the sprinter began hopping on his left foot determined to at least finish the race, and that was when his father, Jim, emerged from his seat in the crowd to help his son reach the final line.
Watch the moment below:In the footage, you can see Jim waving off officials who tried to get him off the track. He then put an arm around his son's waist and held onto Derek as he turned and cried on his father's shoulder.
The renowned video of the father and son moment in the Olympic Stadium has been viewed millions of times on social media and has been described by the organization's committee as one of the "most inspirational moments in Olympic history".
Twenty years after the heartwarming moment, Jim was selected to be one of the torchbearers during the nationwide torch relay for the 2012 Games in London.
"I saw my (son) having a problem and it was my duty to help," he told CBS News in 2012. "I actually went on the track to try to stop him inflicting further damage to himself. It was Derek's idea. He asked me to get him back in that lane and I offered him a shoulder to lean on."
The Olympian also recalled that very moment too and said his father tried to talk him out of continuing the race through his suffering.
"He was telling me that I had nothing to prove and that I didn't need to do this, but I told him I was going to finish. Then he said that we would do it together," he told the BBC in 2012. "So we did, and I limped over the line in tears."
What happened that day was pure instinct, Jim told Sports Illustrated in 2012: "Everyone does it. It just so happens that most people think about doing it, but I actually went on there to help."
The official Olympic page on Twitter posted a tribute to the devoted father, writing: Our thoughts are with Derek Redmond and his family following the death of his father, Jim. Together, they brought us one of the most inspirational moments in Olympic history."
The British Olympic Association also shared their condolences on their social media page and said: "Rest in peace Jim Redmond, father to Derek, whose Olympic moment will never be forgotten."
Our thoughts go out to Jim's family and friends at this time.
