Jim Redmond, the man who delivered one of the most memorable Olympic moments, has died at the age of 81.
Redmond wrote his name into Olympic folklore when he helped his injured son Derek across the finish line at the Games in Barcelona in 1992.
Team GB sprinter Derek had been racing in the 400 metres semi-final when he tore his hamstring on the home straight. As he hobbled to the finish line in visible distress, his father raced onto the track from his seat in the crowd.
He then ushered race officials away and helped his son over the finish line to a standing ovation from the crowd, in what remains an iconic piece of Olympic history.
"Rest in peace Jim Redmond, father to Derek, whose Olympic moment will never be forgotten," Team GB posted on social media.
The International Olympic Committee also paid tribute to Redmond for delivering the 'most inspirational moment'.
Redmond, who passed away in Northampton on Sunday, was chosen to carry the Olympic torch ahead of the London Olympics in tribute to his act.
Speaking ahead of the Games in 2012, he said: “During the first 100 metres we thought he’d finish in the first three. Then his leg went but, Derek being Derek, he would never give up.
“I don’t know why but I had an instinct I had to go over to him. We finished the race jointly. I didn’t realise 20 years later it would still be talked about."
His son Derek won gold for Team GB at the World Championships in 1991 in the 4x400m relay alongside teammates Roger Black, Kriss Akabusi and John Regis.
He met fellow Olympian Sharron Davies at the Games and the couple married two years later. They have two children together, who are Jim's grandchildren.
She posted on social media: "Yesterday my ex father in law, Grace & Elliott’s grand dad Jim Redmond gently passed away to that great running track in the sky. No dad could have been more supportive or a better husband to Jenny. He will be sadly missed x."
