Duncan Hamilton

In 1981, the film Chariots of Fire won four Oscars, including Best Picture. The film’s sweeping instrumental theme song went on to become synonymous with Olympic glory. Thirty five years later, the film, with its indelible theme, lives on in popular culture, but who was the hero who inspired such reverence and awe? Award-winning sportswriter Duncan Hamilton digs deep in his new book, FOR THE GLORY: Eric Liddell’s Journey from Olympic Champion to Modern Martyr to discover that man—Eric Liddell—whose Olympic triumph was only part of a great epic story of faith and resilience. Join Duncan Hamilton on May 11th as he discusses: • Liddell’s famous pledge not to run on Sunday because of his strict observance of the Christian Sabbath…which led to so not competing in his signature event, the 100 meters, at the 1924 Paris Olympics. He was the greatest sprinter in the world at the time, and his choice not to run was ridiculed by the British Olympic committee, his fellow athletes, and most of the world press. Yet Liddell triumphed in a new event, winning the 400 meters in Paris. • His dedication to missionary work: he travelled to China to work in a local school and as a missionary. He married and had children there. By the time he could see war on the horizon, Liddell put Florence, his pregnant wife, and children on a boat to Canada, while he stayed behind, his conscience compelling him to stay among the Chinese. He and thousands of other westerners were eventually interned at a Japanese work camp. • Becoming the moral center of an unbearable world while imprisoned. He was the hardest worker in the camp, he counseled many of the other prisoners, he gave up his own meager portion of meals many days, and he organized games for the children there. He even raced again. • Dying of a brain tumor just before the end of the war. His passing was mourned around the world, and his story still inspires. For the Glory is both a compelling narrative of athletic heroism and a gripping story of faith in the darkest circumstances. About the author: Duncan Hamilton is an award-winning sportswriter and author who has twice won the foremost sports writing prize in the UK (the William Hill) and been nominated an additional three times. He is the author of several books.