Hugh

Saw the Chariots of Fire bit on the website. While Eric Liddell may not have had an OA connection, there is a GHK link with the film. One of the runners on the beach (and therefore on the photo) is none other than Ian Litster the former GHK president.

When David Puttnam the film's producer came to open the new Drama Studio at the High School, we were able to introduce him to one of his runners.


Eric Hugh


The true story of two British track athletes competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics. One is a devout Scottish missionary who runs for God, the other is a Jewish student at Cambridge who runs for fame and to escape prejudice. The story, told in flashback, of two young British sprinters competing for fame in the 1924 Olympics. Eric, a devout Scottish missionary runs because he knows it must please God. Harold, the son of a newly rich Jew runs to prove his place in Cambridge society. In a warmup 100 meter race, Eric defeats Harold, who hires a pro trainer to prepare him. Eric, whose qualifying heat is scheduled for a Sunday, refuses to run despite pressure from the Olympic committee. A compromise is reached when a nobleman allows Eric to compete in his 400 meter slot. Eric and Harold win their respective races and go on to achieve fame as missionary and businessman/athletic advocate, respectively

And from James Adams
Hugh

Some material on the great Eric Liddel. Fifty-six years after the 1924 Paris Olympics, Alan Wells won the 100 metres at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. When asked after the victory if he had run the race for Harold Abrahams, who was the last 100 metre Olympic winner from Britain (in 1924), Wells quietly replied, "No, this one was for Eric Liddell." Wells was the last white winner of this event.

Now i know how you like your wee quotes on Liddell's grave reads a few simple words taken from the Isaih, "They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary."


Liddell also was a lifelong supporter and member of Rangers Football Club and like the late Ian Binnie often used the club's training facilities


Cheers

This article was originally posted on 9-Aug-2007, 08:23 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 10-Aug-2007, 08:16.