August 7, 2016

Olympian Eric Liddell Personal Correspondence

On this Sunday morning we are having a longer blog post than normal with the 1924 Olympian Eric Liddell Personal Correspondence. Given it is not the work week but rather we can enjoy a slower pace today – if you have a few minutes get your morning coffee, tea, or diet coke and be inspired as we read today’s blog post!

“When he learned that the heats were to be run on a Sunday, he switched to the 400 metre competition as he was not prepared to run on a Sunday. He won a gold medal for the 400 metres and a bronze medal for the 200 metres at the Paris Olympics.” …

If you find yourself thinking you have heard the name you probably saw the 1981 Oscar winning movie Chariots of Fire. It won four Academy Awards including Best Picture. I’ve included the movie trailer, and the last race scene with Eric Liddell.

Chariots of Fire

Chariots of Fire Trailer – “True story of the 1924 Olympics. Eric Liddell disqualified himself from the 100 meters because he wouldn’t run on the sabbath. A teammate gave up his spot in the 400 meters so that he would have a chance at a medal on another day.”

Here from the movie Eric is running the 400-metre race.

Personal Correspondence of Eric Liddell

There is a nice selection of letters posted at the Eric Liddell Centre website. They are scanned images of letters written showing the handwriting. It includes correspondence with Effie Hardie, Violet Stalker, Circular Letters, and Correspondence with unknown recipients. There is an image of a envelope addressed, with its cancels to Miss Violete Stalker.

The Eric Liddell Centre

You will want to start with the Biography page.

“When he learned that the heats were to be run on a Sunday, he switched to the 400 metre competition as he was not prepared to run on a Sunday. He won a gold medal for the 400 metres and a bronze medal for the 200 metres at the Paris Olympics.” …

“After the Olympics and his graduation he returned to North China where he served as a missionary from 1925 to 1943…”

“During 1941 – 1943 Eric stayed in Tientsin, then in 1943 he was interned in Weishien camp until his death in 1945.”

The site includes Eric’s decision not to run on a Sunday. There is a Video of Eric Liddell Winning Gold at the 1924 Olympics.

New Hardcover book

The hardcover is showing it was made available in May 2016 entitled For the Glory: Eric Liddell’s Journey from Olympic Champion to Modern Martyr.”

Here’s to a peaceful Sunday and enjoying the slower pace today – perfect for finally writing that letter you’ve been meaning to write!

Anchors Aweigh,

Helen