By Mallory Mattingly
From sprinting in the 1924 Olympics to working as a missionary in China, Eric Liddell lived a life dedicated to Christ.
The Scottish sprinter is most widely known for refusing to run on Sundays. During the 1924 Paris Olympics, Liddell pulled out of the qualifying heat for the 100-meter race because it took place on a Sunday.
Instead, he entered into the 400-meter race, where he drew the outside lane. But God was faithful to Liddell’s commitment to Him, and he went on to win gold in record time.
The 1981 movie CHARIOTS OF FIRE chronicles the athlete’s Olympic story.
Despite his successful track career, Liddell left it in 1925 to become a full-time missionary in China.
According to Sports Spectrum, Liddell “served first as a science teacher and sports coach at a mission school in Tientsin. On his first furlough back to Scotland, he was ordained a minister, having completed his training.”
Shortly after he returned to China, Liddell married Florence MacKenzie, and the couple soon had two daughters, Patricia and Heather. Meanwhile, China and Japan began to go to war. Liddell was then asked “to serve without his family at a rural mission closely watched by Japanese soldiers.”
He sent his family to Canada for their safety, leaving his wife, two daughters, and soon-to-be third daughter, Maureen.
Liddell expected to rejoin his family in Canada within a year; however, “he and 2,000 expatriates were sent to an internment camp run by the Japanese. Living conditions were poor, but during the two years there, Eric lifted the spirits of his fellow internees by serving as preacher, teacher, counselor, sports organizer — and doing whatever needed to be done. He particularly loved the young people,” Sports Spectrum said.
“We used to call him ‘Uncle Eric’ because he was so involved with us kids…he organized games…he was really involved with children and that was remarkable,” American John Hoyte, who was in the camp with Liddell, said.
Related: Olympian Eric Liddell: A Life of Courageous Victory
“We thought, ‘Wow, this guy is an Olympic runner’ — but it didn’t matter at all to him. He liked to almost downplay the Olympic medal because he didn’t want to make that the symbol for who he was, and you could tell it by the way he lived for others and how he cared for us kids,” Hoyte added.
Liddell died at the age of 43 from an undetected brain tumor.
The Eric Liddell Community, an organization created “to secure, cherish and celebrate the legacy of Eric Liddell for future generations across the world,” was founded in his honor.
Liddell’s daughters are grateful the organization keeps their dad’s legacy alive.
“My sisters and I are great supporters of the work of The Eric Liddell Community. It’s a fantastic place doing amazing work for the people of Edinburgh in Scotland. I have noticed that the pages about my Dad on this website get far more hits than any other pages. Clearly you’re interested in Dad but also appreciate the work the ELC is doing in Dad’s name,” Patricia wrote.
Whether following God’s call on the track field or the mission field, Liddell remained committed to following the Lord, even when it was hard. That’s something that can inspire all of us.
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
- Content: +1Share:
- Content: +2