The Gold Obedience Wins

In the summer of 1924, Scotland's fastest man arrived in Paris carrying the hopes of an entire nation. Eric Liddell was the heavy favorite to win the 100-meter dash at the Olympic Games — until he discovered the heats were scheduled on a Sunday.

For Liddell, Sunday was the Lord's Day. Running was not worship. So he withdrew.

The backlash was swift. Newspapers called him a traitor. The Prince of Wales pressured him to reconsider. His own teammates struggled to understand. But Liddell had made his peace. The film Chariots of Fire captures his spirit in a line that has endured: "God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure."

He entered the 400 meters instead — not his strongest event — and that July he crossed the finish line first, setting a world record of 47.6 seconds.