Eric Liddell was a world-class runner who won two medals at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games; gold and bronze. He also held the world record in the 100 yard race for 4 years after the games. He became known as The Flying Scotsman.

Eric Liddell was born on January 16, 1902 to Scottish missionary parents living in China. He and his brother attended boarding schools in England while their parents remained in China. He began running while attending Eltham College; he also played rugby with the Scottish national rugby team. In 1921, he joined his brother at the University of Edinburgh where he studied science. Liddell also became involved with the Glasgow Students’ Evangelical Union and travelled throughout the country trying to evangelize young Scottish men.

Liddell competed for Great Britain in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. He dropped out of the 100 yard race because it was being held on a Sunday. However, he ran in the 400 yard race where he achieved a world record time of 47.6 seconds and won the gold medal. He also won a bronze medal in the 200 yard race. His Olympic efforts were featured in the film Chariots of Fire.

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 1925, Liddell returned to China as a missionary. In 1934, he married Florence Mackenzie, the daughter of Canadian missionaries; the couple had 3 daughters. In 1941, British nationals were advised to leave China and Florence and her daughters moved to Canada; Liddell stayed behind to continue his work. In 1943, he was interred in a Japanese concentration camp. He reportedly had a chance to leave in a prisoner exchange but gave up his chance for a pregnant woman. He died in the camp on February 21, 1945 of a brain tumor.

A headstone in his honor was placed at the site of the concentration camp which reads: “They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary.”