A century after winning gold at the 1924 Paris Olympics, Eric Liddell’s legendary story is inspiring a new generation of athletes and believers. His story, immortalized in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire, is being retold to continue spreading his message.
The Flying Scotsman is known for his unwavering faith in God and his refusal to compromise his beliefs. In Paris in 1924, he withdrew from the 100 meters, his best event. Why? Because the heats were held on a Sunday and Eric refused to compete or train on the Sabbath. However, he went on to set a new world record to win the 400 metres, and he also took bronze in the 200 metres.
The next year, Eric rejoined his parents in his birthplace of China to continue his missionary work. During the Japanese occupation of China, they took him to a prisoner-of-war camp after he refused offers to leave the country. Eric died in the camp from an inoperable brain tumour five months before the liberation of China.
Eric Liddell’s Inspiring Story Will be Retold
His story is now being retold in a booklet created by British evangelist J. John. A million copies will be given away at this year’s Paris Olympics and Paralympics starting from July 26 to inspire conversations about God. It’s entitled Running the Race of Your Life.
The evangelist said he had always been inspired by Eric Liddell’s story which is what led to his booklet initiative. ‘The fact that both the 1924 and 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games take place in Paris cannot be a coincidence,’ he observed.
In the booklet J. John asks three questions:
- What takes priority in our lives?
- What controls how we live?
- What price are we prepared to pay?
Running Your Own Race
Christian Today reports the reaction of Bethany Firth, a six-time British Paralympian gold medallist:
‘My husband and I read Running the Race of Your Life and it was such an insight. I had heard of Eric Liddell, but I didn’t actually know his story. It has really made me remember the importance of putting God first and letting everything else follow.’
‘Eric Liddell didn’t let his sporting achievements define him, instead he allowed them to shine a light on how truly amazing God is, and no matter what we face in life, putting God first is always the answer. This is an amazing way to show what God has done and can do when we put him first.’
Professional footballer and founder of Ballers in God John Bostock said it was: ‘A powerful and timely reminder of an incredible life of sacrifice that was spent for Jesus rather than things that fade. This little booklet prompted deep reflection on my life’s priorities.’
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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