As we sit down to watch the spectacular performances of the world’s top athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, we should also remember the spiritual legacy of Eric Liddell and his commitment to faith.
On March 29, 1982, at the Los Angeles Music Center in California, the 54th Academy Awards ceremony was attended by many shining stars, igniting the enthusiastic atmosphere both inside and outside the venue.
For months, Hollywood had been claiming that the race for the Best Picture of 1981 had come down to two competing films: one being the leftist film “Reds” (1981) starring actor Warren Beatty, depicting the Soviet communist revolution, and the other being the American film “On Golden Pond” (1981) featuring the beloved veteran stars Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn as a bickering yet loving elderly couple.
As the event reached its climax, veteran actress Loretta Young took the stage to announce the winner of the Best Picture award. Opening the envelope, she revealed the relatively lesser-known British “art film” “Chariots of Fire” (1981), triggering a wave of astonishment in the audience. This film tells the legendary story of Scottish missionary and Olympic athlete Eric Liddell and Jewish sprinter Harold Abrahams.
Liddell’s story deviates from the typical Hollywood hero archetype. While Hollywood protagonists usually involve themselves in fighting social injustices as liberals, Liddell was a man who steadfastly adhered to his faith, even at great personal cost, believing that obedience to God was more important than succumbing to personal desires.
Eric Liddell (1902-1945), born in the British concession of Tianjin, China, as Li Ai Rui in Chinese, was the first Olympic gold medalist born in China. His father was a Scottish missionary in China who served with the London Missionary Society. Liddell was a remarkable athlete from a young age. While studying at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, he was hailed as the fastest man in Scotland. At the 1924 Paris Olympics, he effortlessly won the gold medal in the men’s 400 meters.
Liddell had a dilemma at this Olympics. His main track event was the 100 meters, and the heats were scheduled for Sunday. Devout in his Christian faith and observing the Sabbath, he faced a choice: either compete, compromising his beliefs, or abstain from the race, forfeiting the opportunity to win Olympic honor for himself and his country.
The film “Chariots of Fire” primarily explores Liddell’s dilemma at the Olympics and the days leading up to the Paris 1924 Olympics, with numerous forces trying to persuade him to compromise his faith. However, Liddell refused and chose not to compete in the 100 meters. Instead, he decided to compete in a more demanding and longer race, the 400 meters, as it did not take place on a Sunday. Many believed he was at a clear disadvantage in the 400 meters. Yet, Liddell firmly believed that his athletic ability was a gift from God, and not participating would be a disrespect to God.
On July 11, 1924, as Liddell prepared for the 400 meters race, someone handed him a folded square paper with the following inscription: “Those who honour me I will honour.” This quote is from 1 Samuel 2:30.
At that Olympics, Liddell eventually won the 400 meters, setting a world record. God indeed rewarded Liddell for his courage and determination in not compromising his faith. While many Olympians nowadays aim to turn their victories into financial gain as the national anthem plays its final note, Liddell chose differently. He opted to return to China to continue his family’s missionary work, enduring hardships in China and ultimately being interned by the invading Japanese army during World War II.
Even while imprisoned by the Japanese, Liddell steadfastly held onto his faith, becoming a leader among the prisoners, aiding the elderly, and organizing Bible study classes. Another prisoner, Langdon Gilkey, later wrote in his memoirs about Liddell:
“Often in an evening, I would see him bent over a chessboard or a model ship, or directing some sort of group dance—he was always sweating, tired, his whole being poured into his efforts to kindle the imagination of these caged youth. He exuded humor and love for life, was enthusiastic and charismatic. It is rare to encounter a saint, but he was the closest to a saint that I ever knew.”
In early 1945, Liddell passed away in the Japanese internment camp due to a brain tumor. In 2002, Liddell became one of the inaugural inductees of the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, garnering high votes in public balloting as one of the most beloved sports heroes in Scottish history.
Today, as the 2024 Paris Olympics are in full swing, a global audience delights in the performances of top athletes. It marks a whole century since the Olympics returned to Paris. Looking back a hundred years ago, Eric Liddell steadfastly stood by his beliefs, resisted compromise, overcame immense pressure and temptation, and left a remarkable mark in Olympic history. This is the precious legacy that Eric Liddell has left for future generations: his courageous choices at the 1924 Paris Olympics and his lifelong commitment, as well as the film “Chariots of Fire” that portrays his Olympic journey, winning the Best Picture at the 1982 Oscars, providing endless inspiration to the world.