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We hope that as you read through the range of information and stories about Eric that you will really enjoy the experience. As you explore Eric’s life you will find a man who was and continues to be a superb example of someone who lived out the Olympic ideals while upholding the Olympic motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” which means, ‘Swifter, Higher, Stronger’, throughout his life.

The first Olympic Games are reputed to have taken place on the fields of Olympia in 776 B.C when Hercules challenged his four brothers to race before the gods of Ancient Greece. From this point on they were held every four years for nearly 1,200 years. People and scholars travelled from all over the ancient world to attend the games and while they were happening there was peace throughout Greece. This was referred to as the “Olympic Peace”. These ancient games were ended by the Roman Emperor Theodosius in 393 A.D.

In 1870, German archaeologists excavated some wonderful statues that had been sculpted and set in the sacred ground of Olympia in the time of the classical games. These finds so inspired Baron Pierre De Coubertin that he decided to revive the games. This idea was very well received and the first of the Modern Olympics took place in Athens two years later commencing 6^th April 1896.

The olive branch, which was the highest prize and honour awarded to the young athletes of the classical games, was replaced by gold, silver and bronze medals. The original Olympic ideals of noble competition, sport, peace, culture and education remain at the heart of the games. It was hoped the sportsmen (and latterly, women), who participated in the games would live lives that demonstrated these ideals all of the time.

On its website the International Olympic Committee, writing about the Olympic Movement states, “It is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind.”

It goes on to say,

“The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind, in a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

At the 1924 Paris Olympics, when the motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” was first used, Eric Liddell won a bronze medal in the 200m and then even greater glory by winning gold in the 400m. Eric went on, however, to embody the Olympic ideals by the way that he lived his life.

You will read all about him:

· Shaking hands with other competitors prior to races.

· Coming alongside competitors who were being shunned because they were different.

· Teaching children in school.

· Acting as a coach or a referee.

· Working with very poor people.

· Rescuing victims of war.

At the core of his life Eric believed that God was his saviour, friend and companion and that everything he did should give God pleasure. As a runner he was the fastest and had achieved the highest glory, and as a Christian he found that his greatest strength came from God. It was because of this strength that he was able:

· to be parted from his family for long periods of time.

· to smuggle money to Chinese people who were living in parts of China occupied by the Japanese army.

· to teach people about “loving your enemy” while they were all imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp.

We hope that you enjoy reading about Eric and that you will find his life inspiring.

As we all look towards the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the London Olympics in 2012 it is our hope and prayer that young people throughout the world will find inspiration, friendship and peace running hand in hand.