Derek Redmond

After years of suffering the extreme highs and lows of his athletics career, Derek draws on his vast experiences as an international sportsman to provide a fascinating and inspirational platform for his motivational speeches. In telling his story, Derek takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions but also explains the secrets of his success both as an individual and within a team.

First rising 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.

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Derek represented his country in the 400m individual race – a race which brought about one of the most inspirational scenes in Olympic history. 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 explains the 5 fundamental principles of getting the best performance, whether it’s in sport or business. These include goal setting, team building and overcoming unexpected hurdles in life, an area in which Derek is well experienced. In relaying this emotional story of success and heartbreak Derek illustrates the dedication needed in order to succeed both personally and as a team to reach your goals.

“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