Eric Liddell

1902–1945 — Scotland/China

Era: Modern

Brilliance: 7/10 | Stewardship: 10/10 | Composite Index: 70

Chariots of Fire. Refused to run on Sunday. Died in a Japanese internment camp.

"When I run, I feel God's pleasure."

Biography

Eric Liddell was a Scottish Olympic sprinter and devout Christian missionary who became an icon of principled conviction by refusing to compete on Sunday during the 1924 Paris Olympics. After winning gold in the 400m, he devoted himself to missionary work in China, where he died in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, embodying unwavering faith through persecution.

Key Facts

Won Olympic gold in 400m at Paris 1924 after withdrawing from his favored 100m due to Sunday heats
Set a world record in the 400m that stood for 12 years
Spent 20 years as a missionary and teacher in China before internment
Died in a Japanese POW camp in 1945, likely from kidney disease, at age 43
His story inspired the 1981 Academy Award-winning film 'Chariots of Fire'

Gold medal sprinter chose God over glory. Then chose faith over freedom.

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