A display paying tribute to Eric Liddell, the legendary 1924 Olympic 400m champion, was launched on 19th February, in the lead-up to the World Indoor Athletics Championships coming to Glasgow.
The display offers visitors a glimpse into the life of Eric Liddell – the Flying Scotsman and Paris 1924 Olympic gold medallist Located in the St Enoch Centre. The Eric Liddell content will run alongside two other related exhibitions: the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) Exhibition and Team Scotland’s The Stars of Track and Field’ Exhibition, celebrating ten years on from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Nearly 100 years on from Eric Liddell’s Olympic Gold Medal in 1924, this initiative is led by The Eric Liddell 100 – a comprehensive campaign and programme of events and activities – for which Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, is the Patron. The Eric Liddell 100, led by The Eric Liddell Community, aims to honour Liddell’s legacy and inspire future generations with his remarkable story of passion, compassion, and integrity.
John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “We are thrilled to see the launch of the Eric Liddell pop-up exhibition today, as part of our exciting programme of events to celebrate the centenary of Eric Liddell’s gold medal win. All of our partners involved in this initiative spent a significant amount of time considering what Eric Liddell would have wanted and how important it is that we reflect him in our endeavours; we believe that any individual can make a positive impact on the world if they approach the challenges they face with passion, compassion and integrity, which are our three values for The Eric Liddell 100. We hope everyone who visits the exhibition leaves feeling uplifted, inspired, and motivated to live life with these values in mind.”
The Eric Liddell 100 has worked with Nomad Exhibitions to develop the St Enoch Centre display, which they hope will be a precursor to a larger exhibition to be launched in the summer.
Tim Pethick, CEO of Nomad Exhibitions said: “Nomad Exhibitions is delighted to support The Eric Liddell 100 to bring the incredible story of Eric Liddell to new and diverse audiences. A man widely known for his sporting achievements, but who gave up fame and fortune to dedicate his life to helping others, is a worthy focus for such displays which we hope will ensure his legacy lives on for generations to come.”
This is the latest in several developments and follows the launch of an educational resource and sports day toolkit for schools across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond. This comprehensive resource aims to educate students on Liddell’s values and inspire them to embody passion, compassion, and integrity in their lives.
In addition, the Sports Events Toolkit provides schools and organisations with everything they need to host Eric Liddell-inspired sporting events, aligning with the global celebration of his centenary and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Eric Liddell, MOWA and Team Scotland Exhibitions are open daily to the public, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history of athletics and celebrate the enduring legacy of Eric Liddell. Open daily from 11:00 to 18:00, the displays are set to run until the 4th of March, coinciding with the conclusion of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24.
