Eric Liddell

Eric Liddell was a Scottish Olympic athlete and Christian missionary. He is best known for his gold medal in the 400-meter dash at the 1924 Paris Olympics and for his refusal to compete on Sunday.

Early Life and Education

Eric Liddell was born on January 16, 1902, in Tientsin, China, where his parents were missionaries. He spent most of his early life in China, moving to Scotland with his family in 1920. He attended the University of Edinburgh, where he studied pure science and represented the university in both rugby and athletics.

Olympic Career

Eric Liddell competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics, where he won a gold medal in the 400-meter dash and a bronze medal in the 200-meter race. He was also a member of the Scottish relay team that won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter relay.

Liddell's strong Christian faith led him to refuse to run on Sunday, the day of rest. He withdrew from the 100-meter race, his strongest event, and instead competed in the 400-meter race, which was held on another day of the week. Liddell's victory in the 400-meter dash was an unexpected upset, as he was not considered a favorite to win the event.

Missionary Work

After his Olympic success, Eric Liddell returned to China and became a Christian missionary. He worked as a teacher and organist, and he also helped to establish a boys' school.

During World War II, Liddell was interned in a Japanese prison camp, where he continued to serve as a teacher and leader among the other prisoners. He died in the camp on February 21, 1945, just a few months before the camp was liberated by Allied forces.

Legacy

Eric Liddell's achievements in athletics and his dedication to his faith have inspired many people around the world. His story was told in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Liddell's legacy also includes the Eric Liddell Centre, a charity based in Edinburgh that supports people with disabilities and dementia.

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# Eric Liddell

![Eric Liddell](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Eric_Liddell.jpg/220px-Eric_Liddell.jpg)

Eric Liddell was a Scottish Olympic athlete and Christian missionary. He is best known for his gold medal in the 400-meter dash at the 1924 Paris Olympics and for his refusal to compete on Sunday. 

## Early Life and Education

Eric Liddell was born on January 16, 1902, in Tientsin, China, where his parents were missionaries. He spent most of his early life in China, moving to Scotland with his family in 1920. He attended the University of Edinburgh, where he studied pure science and represented the university in both rugby and athletics. 

## Olympic Career

Eric Liddell competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics, where he won a gold medal in the 400-meter dash and a bronze medal in the 200-meter race. He was also a member of the Scottish relay team that won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter relay. 

Liddell's strong Christian faith led him to refuse to run on Sunday, the day of rest. He withdrew from the 100-meter race, his strongest event, and instead competed in the 400-meter race, which was held on another day of the week. Liddell's victory in the 400-meter dash was an unexpected upset, as he was not considered a favorite to win the event. 

## Missionary Work

After his Olympic success, Eric Liddell returned to China and became a Christian missionary. He worked as a teacher and organist, and he also helped to establish a boys' school. 

During World War II, Liddell was interned in a Japanese prison camp, where he continued to serve as a teacher and leader among the other prisoners. He died in the camp on February 21, 1945, just a few months before the camp was liberated by Allied forces. 

## Legacy

Eric Liddell's achievements in athletics and his dedication to his faith have inspired many people around the world. His story was told in the 1981 film *Chariots of Fire*, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. 

Liddell's legacy also includes the Eric Liddell Centre, a charity based in Edinburgh that supports people with disabilities and dementia.