b'THE BRIDGE REPORTER ERIC LIDDELL & HAROLD ABRAHAMS THE REAL STORY BEHIND CHARIOTS OF FIREYear 12 A level History student Reuben Esmerguzeli explains the events of 1924 when issues about sport, duty and conscience hit the headlinesAfter a century of absenteeism, the grandeur of the Olympic spectacle will once again reverberate throughout Paris this summer. While aspirations of athletic triumph and fanatical enthusiasm burn deep in anticipation, an incredible tale of faith and the desire for acceptance has seemingly lain dormant, though it defined Pariss last Olympics in 1924.It is the events surrounding Eric Liddell, a Scottish athlete representing Great Britain,Eric Liddell Harold Abrahamswhich lie at the centre of this story. He was an accomplished sprinter, who won several domestic races; and coming into theof the behind-the-scenes events relating tosome believing that an athlete may be taking a Olympics, Eric Liddell and his rival HaroldAbrahams great achievement, and also thereligious principle to an unreasonable extreme. Abrahams were the favourites to win goldmanoeuvrings to persuade Liddell to conform,The case of tennis legend Novak Djokovic, medals for the 100m, 200m and 400m events.some factual, some fictional. It also depictsa devout member of the Serbian Orthodox The son of a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant,how the Scottish legend was able to competeChurch, is an interesting comparison, Harold Abrahams was a law student atin the 400m event, in which Liddell deliveredfollowing his refusal to be vaccinated against Cambridge University, where he experienceda triumphant performance, winning the goldthe Covid-19 virus during the pandemic. antisemitic prejudice on account of hismedal for Great Britain, and setting a newThis led to him being refused entry to some Jewish faith, and was determined to showworld record at 47.6 seconds. Liddell hadcountries, most famously Australia, where he his devotion to his country by being the bestbecome subject to ridicule at the hands of thewas held in a detention centre, and therefore British athlete at the time.American press, due to his unconventionalwas disqualified from tournaments such as Controversy arose, however, several monthsrunning style, which saw his head cocked backthe Australian Open in 2022, where he was before the Olympics in January 1924, when Ericand mouth agape. But it was Harold Abrahams,the defending champion. It remains unclear Liddell learned that the heats for the highlighthis rival, who came to Liddells defence, statingif Djokovics refusal was on religious grounds, event, the 100m race, would take place onthat although he may be laughed at for hisand he himself stated in a BBC interview that the Sabbath: Sunday, 6th July. Being a devouttechnique, it matters not, for he gets there.he objected to the compulsory nature of the Christian, Liddell cited Genesis 2: 2-3: GodA century ago, a time ironically when religiousvaccination programme, but it meant that he blessed the seventh day and made it holy, andfaith was more widely practised than in oursacrificed his No. 1 world ranking and lost out immediately refused to race. Only receivingcontemporary era, Liddells refusal to runon adding to his incredible record of Grand support from his coach, as the starting dateon Sunday was seen by some as excessive andSlam titles. Many applauded his stand on for the 1924 Paris Olympics grew nearer andunnecessary. Liddell received criticism forprinciple, even those who disagreed with his nearer, the pressure on Liddell, from both thehis actions from the media at the time, whilstviews, whilst others, including many Christians, media and British sporting officials, continuedothers praised him for his principled stand;argued that his position was unreasonableto mount upon him. Liddell remainedand it is interesting to consider what theand that the Australian government was steadfast, showing rock-solid commitmentnational reaction might be if a similar refusalcorrect in its actions. to his faith. With his continued vehementto participate on religious grounds happenedBoth in 1924 and today in 2024, moments determination, he outlasted the pressure,in Paris this year? It seems reasonable to arguearrive when questions of conscience present refused to sacrifice his principles for the sakethat a decision of this kind would be morethemselves to every individual, even legendary of national pride, and did not compete in therespected today as society is allegedly moresprinters and tennis champions. When those 100m heats and final. In the end, it was Liddellstolerant and seems to value individualismcircumstances arise, it is clear from the example British rival, Harold Abrahams, who achievedmore. Whilst this may be true regarding race,set by Eric Liddell and others that the principle his dream of being recognised as the fastestgender and sexuality, a refusal to participateto thine own self be true will form part of man alive by winning the gold medal. in sport on religious grounds might be seenthe discussion, as well as an acceptance of the The 1981 film Chariots of Fire presents someas interesting but also possibly quirky, withpossible sacrifices that may have to be made.11'