By Lydia Browne
Known as the “Flying Scotsman,” Eric Liddell undeniably had a talent for speed. But this Olympic Gold Medalist lived his life for much more than just the thrill of the race: he lived and died for his beliefs.
Liddell was born on January 16, 1902, in Tientsin, or Tianjin, China. He was the second son of Scottish Christian missionaries who were living in China at the time of his birth. This was quite a courageous choice on their part, as this was not long after the Boxer Rebellion, which was an uprising against foreigners, particularly Christians. The family would return to Scotland when he was five.
After returning home, Liddell went to school at Eltham College in Blackheath, London. He boarded there with his brother while his parents and sister Jenny returned to China. Starting in 1920, Liddell attended the University of Edinburgh for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Athletics became a very important part of Liddell’s life while at university. He excelled at both rugby and running. In 1921, he achieved victory in the 100-, 200-, and 220-yard events at the Scottish Championships when he was 19. In 1923, he gained recognition at the Amateur Athletic Association championships by winning the 100- and 200- meter events. He also succeeded in many other instances. His 1923 time of 9.7 seconds in the 100-yard dash was a British record not broken for the next 35 years.
Then, Eric Liddell would be chosen for the event that he is most famous for: the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. He was to compete in the 100-meter run. Even though this was his strongest event, he would become known for his ultimate refusal to participate in the race. He insisted that he would not run the race after he discovered that it would be on a Sunday. He believed that one should honor the Sabbath, a day set aside for going to church. Because of this, Liddell switched to the 200- and 400-meter runs, races for which he was less prepared, giving up his chance to win gold in his best event.
In the 200-meter race, Liddell won a bronze medal. Then came the 400-meter race. Starting in the outside lane, Liddell bolted down the track. After 47.6 seconds, an Olympic, European, and British record, Liddel tore across the finish line, winning a gold medal in an event in which he was not originally intended to participate.
After his success in the Olympics and graduation from the University of Edinburgh, Eric Liddell returned to China in 1925 to be a missionary with his family. In 1934, he married Florence Mackenzie–the daughter of Canadian missionaries–in Tientsin. They had three daughters: Patricia, Heather, and Maureen.
In the 1930s, China was facing many challenges, making life difficult and, in some ways, dangerous for those who lived there, particularly due to the aggressions of the Japanese against China. Soon, the British government was advising British people living in China to move out of the country while they still could. It was arranged for Liddell’s wife and daughters to go live in Canada, where he would join them when he could no longer stay in China. Unfortunately, he would not manage to leave before it was too late.
China was invaded by Japan, and in 1943, Liddell was interned in the Weishein concentration camp, which was used by the Japanese to detain foreigners who were living in China. From 1942 to 1945, the camp held over 2,000 people, including over 300 children from a variety of countries such as the U.S., Britain, and Canada.
Reportedly, Liddell devoted his time to those interned with him in the camp, working to keep up their spirits, organizing religious groups, and teaching math and science to the children there. However, the conditions at Weishein took a toll on Liddell’s health. It was clear to see that he was slowly deteriorating, suffering from chronic headaches and a variety of other symptoms. Though he did not know it at the time, these symptoms turned out to be a brain tumor. In 1945, he died in the camp at the sadly young age of 43.
Eric Liddell’s life was depicted on the screen in the 1981 Best Picture-winning movie, Chariots of Fire. Though it is partly fictitious, the movie wonderfully and fascinatingly portrays Liddell and his fellow Olympic teammates, particularly Harold Abrahams.
The life of Eric Liddell was one of earned glory and chosen humility. As the 2024 Summer Olympics approaches, we remember the amazing story of a man who competed there in Paris a hundred years ago. The following quote tells us just one of many things that we ought to learn from this life well lived:
“In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.” – Eric Liddell
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