Following the success of the training weekend at St Andrews the location of one of sports more inspirational moments caught in the film "Chariots of Fire" Doug Gillon in todays Herald continues in the same vein.
With the knowledge that one of Old Anniesland's finest featured in that clip and at the start of each season motivation is the keyword read on

The inspirational story of an athletics legend is still being written
DOUG GILLON, Athletics Correspondent August 15 2007
More than 62 years after his death in a Japanese internment camp, the Eric Liddell legend lives on. Indeed, it is still growing. Yesterday it was confirmed that the iconic 1924 Olympic 400 metres champion had the chance to leave China, where he was interned by the Japanese during the war, but gave up his place to a pregnant woman.

The British Olympic Association chief executive Simon Clegg and performance director Sir Clive Woodward laid a wreath on his grave, in Weifang, last Friday.

During conversation with Chinese dignitaries, one of them stated that Prime Minister Winston Churchill had attempted to broker a deal.

Liddell was to have been exchanged for another prisoner before he died of a brain tumour shortly before the cessation of hostilities in 1945. He'd been interned in Shandong Province since 1943.

The BOA is attempting to verify this story, reported by The Herald on Saturday. However, the suggestion came as news to Liddell's family. His late sister, Jenny Somerville, never mentioned it. Nor have his three daughters in countless interviews. There are several well-researched books, plus three further films in gestation. It was a surprise to those associated with them, though much new material is promised by Skye minister and athletics historian John Keddie, in a new book which he says will be published in October.

But yesterday, it emerged that even if the jury does remain out on the Churchill version, there was confirmation that Liddell did, indeed, sacrifice himself for another captive.

Patricia Russell was six when she saw her father for the last time, as she boarded a boat for Canada in May 1941, and has contacted The Herald from her home there.

"This news about Winston Churchill is news to me, and also to connections here in Canada," said the eldest of his three daughters.

"I do remember my mother at one time saying there had been some places available to sail out of China, but my father gave his to a woman who was pregnant.

"At a later date he would have liked to get out of the country but, of course, it was too late. Also, I think Winston Churchill had more pressing things on his mind and, in fact, my father would not have wanted to be treated in any special way."

Yet Liddell still touches and unites lives. A centre in Edinburgh has served the community for more than 25 years. Saturday's revelations on his life sparked at least one sermon at the weekend in a church other than of Liddell's own denomination.

Among the more uplifting stories it's been my privilege to report, was the Olympic modern pentathlon title won in 2000 by Ayrshire-born Stephanie Cook. While studying medicine at Oxford, having shown some talent as a cross-country runner, she was given a biography of Liddell, "Flying Scotsman". It had been inscribed: "To the Flying Scots-woman." Cook became inspired by Liddell's life, and, remarkably, she was to echo how Liddell abandoned sport at the top to serve others.

She had raced from eighth to first on the final discipline in Sydney, the 3000m run. As we walked to the closing ceremony that night, she told me that Liddell was "the most influential person in my career".

Almost exactly a year later she added the World title, and stepped off the podium to announce her retirement. The next day she flew to Gujurat with Medical Emergency Relief International.

In the face of pressure to adopt a media role, Cook confided that she was "not the kind of person who could make a career of a gold medal. Medicine will be much more fulfilling."

Dr Cook still works in medicine, is married, and expecting her first child.

In Weifang camp, Liddell made life more bearable by shaming the better off. Many of the interned had been oil company and other business executives. They maintained a flow of smuggled goods. Not just soap and toiletries, but gin and wine.

Camp life was recounted by David Michell, a young Australian who had been separated form his parents. Liddell, whom he called Uncle Eric, was a surrogate father. "Although there were no executions, it was very unpleasant," recalled Michell who became a minister. "There were searchlight towers and walls, barbed wire. I remember one boy being electrocuted on the roll-call field. He jumped up and touched a cable that led to one of the towers. Eric was a great comfort to his mother.

"He was a father figure and role model to me, an athletics hero and inspiring influence. I'm proud to have known him, and what he stood for."

When she first saw Chariots of Fire, Eric's wife, Florence, told producer David Puttnam: "The tragedy of Eric's life was that he was a poor public speaker. Your wee man actor Ian Charleson has done the job for Eric, and reached millions more people than he ever could."

Yet Liddell still continues to touch lives. Nearly 40 years ago I applied for the job of sports writer. At the final interview I was grilled on Scottish sports heroes. Liddell was one of mine, so I was unusually eloquent. I got the job, and only months ago did I finally understand why.

A friend gave me a box of old sports books. It included a 32-page booklet on Liddell. It had been written by the old hack who interviewed me and recommended me for that first job. Liddell had also been his hero. I guess he saw something of himself in me. Heaven knows, there was little else to see.

So Eric Liddell reached down the years and into my life.

I will be forever grateful.

This article was originally posted on 15-Aug-2007, 07:27 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 15-Aug-2007, 07:27.