Eric Liddell
Eric Liddell Eric Liddell at the British Empire versus United States of America (Relays) meet held at Stamford Bridge, London on Sat 19 July 1924. Personal information Full name Eric Henry Liddell Nationality Scottish Born (1902-01-16)16 January 1902 Tianjin (Tientsin), Qing Empire (China) Died 21 February 1945(1945-02-21) (aged 43) Weihsien Internment Camp, China Sport Country Scotland, Britain Sport Athletics & Rugby Union (7 tests) Event(s) 100m, 200m, 400m Club Edinburgh University Team Scottish International Achievements and titles Olympic finals 1924 Medal record Men's athletics Competitor for  Great Britain Olympic Games Gold 1924 Paris 400 metres Bronze 1924 Paris 200 metres Eric Liddell Traditional Chinese 埃里克·利德爾 Simplified Chinese 埃里克·利德尔 Transcriptions Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Āilǐkè Lìdéĕr Wade–Giles Ailik'e Liteerh Eric Henry Liddell (/ˈlɪdəl/; 16 January 1902 – 21 February 1945) was a Scottish athlete, rugby union international player, and missionary, who was forced to choose between his religious beliefs and competing in an Olympic race. After refusing to run in the heats on a Sunday, for his favoured distance, men's 100 metres, Liddell could still compete in the men's 400 metres at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, which he won. Liddell's Olympic training and racing, and the religious convictions that influenced him, are depicted in the Oscar-winning 1981 film Chariots of Fire, in which he is portrayed by fellow Scot Ian Charleson.