Scottish distance runner, Luke Davidson, channels Eric Liddell’s legacy to win gold in a different distance due to his religion
Scottish middle-distance runner, Luke Davidson, repeated history at the Scottish Athletics newly rebranded ‘Eric Liddell 131st Senior Championships’ last weekend (Saturday 17th of August) by replicating a century-old act of faith and athletic excellence.
In a move reminiscent of Eric Liddell’s legendary 1924 Olympic decision, Davidson switched from his preferred 1500m race, scheduled for Sunday, to the 800m and won gold at the Eric Liddell Senior Scottish Champs with a run of 1:54.51 which saw him head 2023 World Para T20 1500m champion Ben Sandilands on the home straight at Grangemouth.
Luke Davidson said: “My faith is number one for me. I train for athletics six days a week, but I don’t compete or train on Sundays; that’s why I switched into the 800m even though I am really a 1500m runner. The 1500m was scheduled for Sunday and I don’t run Sundays – so I felt very much like Eric Liddell at Grangemouth.
“I wanted to represent what he did and his Christian mission. That is more important to me than his running – that’s why he missed the 100m at the 1924 Olympics. He has always been an inspiration of mine, and I felt I did the same this weekend. I wasn’t sure if I could pull off the same victory, he did but – Thank You to God – I did. On this weekend of all weekends, when Scottish Athletics named their Senior Champs after Eric Liddell, it felt right to win that gold.”
To honour the centenary of The Flying Scotsman’s iconic Olympic gold medal in Paris 1924, Scottish Athletics rebranded this year’s Senior and U17 Championships after the Scottish icon.
Liddell – whose story was famously depicted in the 1981 Oscar-winning film, ‘Chariots of Fire’ – was a devout Christian who famously withdrew from the 100m heats at the Paris Olympics because they were held on a Sunday. Instead, he competed in the 400m event, where he secured his place in history as the last British athlete to win gold in this event.
John MacMillan, Chief Executive of The Eric Liddell 100, said: “This is more than just a rebranded event in Eric’s honour; it’s a living testament to Eric Liddell’s enduring legacy. Luke Davidson’s decision to honour his faith, just as Eric did 100 years ago, and then go on to win gold, is a story for the ages. It encapsulates everything we are trying to preserve and promote through The Eric Liddell 100.”
Scottish Athletics CEO, Colin Hutchison, said: “Naming our Senior Championships after Eric Liddell was a tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest athletes and his legacy. But Luke Davidson’s incredible performance has brought that legacy to life in the most extraordinary way. This event will be remembered not just for the athletics but for the spirit and determination that Eric Liddell inspired in today’s generation.”
The Eric Liddell 100 campaign, launched by The Eric Liddell Community in 2022, continues to honour the life and achievements of Eric Liddell. Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, serves as the Patron of The Eric Liddell 100.
