The MK in Chariots of Fire (video)

Today as a lead-up to the Olympic Games in London, the movie Chariots of Fire will be re-released (digitally remastered, of course) in theatres across the UK.  The movie is, of course, the story of Eric Liddell, Olympic Gold Medalist.

Liddell was not only a gold medalist, but a believer, as the movie portrays.  As a matter of fact, Liddell was an MK (missionary kid).

What happened after his athletic victory in 1924 is less known, although you probably know part of the story.  Eric went on to be a missionary in China.  As a matter of fact, he went on to marry a Canadian MK, Florence MacKenzie.  (As a matter of fact, my cousin married into Eric and Flo’s family…small world!).

During WWII, Eric sent his young family back to Canada for safety.  When Japan attacked the USA, the Japanese arrested foreigners in China, and in 1943 Eric ended up in an internment camp, where he would live the last few months of his life.

The video below tells a bit of the story of Eric – after his famous race.

If you’d like to learn more about Eric Liddell, here are some recommendations.  You can read a brief two-part biography here:  Running the Race and Finishing the Race.  To see his life from a different perspective, read A Boy’s War by David Michell.  Finally, an excellent DVD biography is called Eric Liddell: Champion of Conviction.  (Incidentally, in the video we hear from a fellow prisoner – a J. Cotterill.  Distant relative?)

Meanwhile, check out this video: