The Race He Was Called to Run

In 1924, Eric Liddell arrived in Paris as Britain's fastest sprinter, heavily favored to win gold in the 100 meters. Then the schedule was posted. The heats fell on Sunday.

Liddell would not run on the Lord's Day. Not for Olympic glory. Not for national pride. Not even when British officials pressed him in private. He quietly withdrew from the 100 meters and entered the 400 instead — an event he had barely trained for.

What happened next became one of sport's most enduring stories. Running with that distinctive head-back stride, Liddell crossed the finish line first, setting a world record at 47.6 seconds. Gold — in the race he wasn't supposed to win, on the day he had already obeyed.

The crowds in Paris saw a surprising victory. But those who knew Liddell understood the race had been decided long before he took the starting blocks. He had already chosen obedience at the cost of his best event, his best chance, his highest profile moment. The outcome was in God's hands from there.