Chariots of Fire

The 2024 Summer Olympics marks a significant milestone as Paris hosts the Games for the second time in a century. As I watched the opening ceremony, I was transported back to a memory from a decade ago, when I attended the West End production of?Chariots of Fire?in London. This play is based on the most renowned story from the 1924 Paris Olympics.

For those unfamiliar with both the play and the movie,?Chariots of Fire?tells the true story of two remarkable athletes, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, who competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics. The film adaptation was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture.

Set in the early 1920s, the story unfolds against the backdrop of a United Kingdom divided by class prejudice and religious differences. It delves into the motivations of these two determined athletes. Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian, ran for the glory of God and steadfastly refused to compete on Sundays, considering it the Sabbath. In contrast, Harold Abrahams, an English Jew, faced rampant antisemitism and ran to overcome prejudice and discrimination.

The title?Chariots of Fire?is inspired by a line from William Blake’s poem, "Bring me my chariot of fire," though the original phrase "chariot(s) of fire" is from the Bible, referring to the vehicle that transported the prophet Elijah to paradise.

A poignant moment in the story occurs when Liddell misses a church prayer meeting due to his running, leading his devout sister, Jenni, to disapprove of his pursuit of competitive running, accusing him of neglecting his devotion to God. Liddell reassures her, explaining that he plans to return to missionary work in China eventually, but feels divinely inspired when he runs. He famously tells her, "Jenni, I believe that God made me for a purpose. But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

Despite their personal challenges, the rivalry between Liddell and Abrahams blossoms into a friendship. Both athletes went on to win gold medals for Great Britain—Abrahams in the 100m sprint and Liddell in the 400m.

Their story underscores the profound impact of values, purpose, and personal belief in driving exceptional motivation. When these elements align, they transform ordinary efforts into extraordinary achievements.

Do you feel like you've felt that exceptional motivation when your values, purpose and beliefs align??