The Olympic champion who sacrificed his best event to honor his Sunday faith

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Eric Liddell was a world-class sprinter and rugby star, yet he famously withdrew from his strongest Olympic event in 1924 because it fell on a Sunday. This decision, rooted in his deep Christian conviction, led him to an unexpected gold medal performance that cemented his place in sporting history.

Born in Tientsin, China, in 1902 to Scottish missionary parents, Eric Liddell spent his early childhood in China before moving to Scotland. A versatile athlete, he excelled in both rugby and track, eventually gaining national recognition by winning the 100- and 200-metre titles at the 1923 Amateur Athletic Association championships. His speed was so formidable that he set a British record of 9.7 seconds in the 100 yards, a mark that remained untouched for 23 years.

The 1924 Paris Olympics became the defining moment of his athletic career. Liddell, a devout Christian, discovered that the heats for the 100-metre race—his specialty—were scheduled for a Sunday. Adhering to his Sabbatarian views, he withdrew from the event months in advance. Instead, he pivoted his training to the 400-metre race, an event in which his pre-Olympic times were considered modest by international standards. On the day of the final, he received a note referencing 1 Samuel 2:30, which profoundly moved him.

Starting from the outside lane, Liddell sprinted with such intensity that he forced two competitors to stumble. He finished with a record-breaking time of 47.6 seconds, securing the gold medal. Shortly after the Games, Liddell returned to China to continue his father's missionary work. He remained there until World War II, when he was interred in a Japanese camp. He died of a brain tumour in 1945 at the age of 43, leaving behind a legacy that transcended his athletic achievements.

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