History is filled with full of surprises. To shape the future, to avoid the mistakes, to get inspired, to walk on the path of glory, to fight back with current odds, person should look back to history. It is filled with so many common(?) individuals who had no privilege for many things which we find very usual now a days. But we as a human, generally read the history in school or college books but don’t learn it. The purpose of this article is not to teach something from history but to remember two completely different personalities and how even after coming from different background, both had to fight to prove the point, both were rivals for sometimes, yet there was mutual respect. As happens with the people on the page of history, they are forgotten, and may be remembered in small corner of the world, like Chariots of fire.

He was born in china and was missionary like his parents. His native was Scottish. But he had one quality, he could run fast, and an excellent sport person in his school and graduation years. He participated and lead in cricket, rugby at school and university level. He got the chance to participate in 1924 Paris Summer Olympics. He was master of 100 meter race, but when schedule of 1924 Olympics race declared, he refused to run for 100 meters. Reason? His race was scheduled on Sunday (the Sunday Sabbath) and due to devoted Christian, he believed that it was day for god. He refused, at the cost of banishing from race, considered too emotional, impractical, intolerant, arrogant, not obeying the rules of king of country. In order to resolve the conflict, a committee was formed to convince him, force him. The committee was comprised Olympic organising members, couch, king of Scotland and many renowned elite members. When they forced on him to run on Sunday, his answer was simple - “Sunday is day of Prayer, I have not break the rule since I become aware of it, I may have not obeyed the king of country, but I am obeying the king of kings, an almighty, who is force behind my existence, our existence”. When one furious member asked - ‘then why you are running, go and pray, and do the missionary work as you have chosen’. Why you have shown hope to others?”. He replied, “I believe god has send me here for purpose. Missionary work is that purpose. But god has also made me to run fast, it is thou’s choice for me to run, and when I run I feel his touch, his existence, his happiness, which makes me happy, I run for his happiness”. Committee couldn’t convince him to run, but the problem got solved when his team mate who won the silver medal proposed to run on Sunday and he could run for 400 meters which was scheduled on different day. And yes - when he ran for 400 meters (which he was not prepared), world saw him, the way he ran, he ran like hell and audience also understood the meaning of what he was saying - ‘I run for his (god) pleasure, i feel his happiness’. He was Eric Liddell.

Harold Abrahams was jew and faced anti-semitism when he entered the University of Cambridge. But instead of influence by discrimination on any kind, he single-mindedly focused on running the race. He failed many times but risen to occasion and achieved the feet no one could think at that time. He had point to prove to the world that it is hard work and dedication is more important than religion, skin colour, financial status or linage. This was the era of 1920s, 30s and 40s, where world witnessed the two world wars. Interestingly, human race grown significantly for betterment of life, they have not learnt yet from history and still fighting for same reasons (and may be more silly reasons). Harold was appointed later as Commander of the Order of the British Empire and achieved many honours in his life.

Harold was running to prove the point, similar to Eric Liddell but had different reasons. One was running as he was feeling the happiness of thou when other one was running to prove that being migrant and jew doesn’t mean he has to live whole life as second or third citizen of country.

Both were contemporary and many times run the race against each other but had very cordial relationship. In fact, Eric introduced Harold to Sam Mussabini, who became coach of Harold and instrumental in helping him to win the gold at Olympics.

The story of these two legend are well presented (of course with cinematic liberty) in the film “Chariots of Fires”. A must watch film to feel the emotions of two gentlemen and get inspired to live for what we believe in. Few of the finest sequences are runnings of Eric Liddell, where you can sense that Eric is feeling the happiness of the God. Those are sacred moments. Eric was really running the way it was depicted in the film.

I believe God made me for a purpose… but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.

This line, spoken by Eric Liddell, captures the entire spirit of the film — purpose, faith, passion, and inner conviction.

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Thus said Dinesh Gajjar
Published at 1:47 am, Nov 18th 2022