Sabbath

The following is The Scotsman's report on the 1924 Olympic 400m final, which Eric Liddell opted to run after discovering that the qualifying heats for his race, the 100m, were to be held on a Sunday.  Nobody was able to persuade him to race.  Instead he chose to run a distance he had never run before with very little time to train:  "The Union Jack flew in proud majesty over the Colombes Stadium today, for the only Final down for decision, the 400 Metres, which resulted in a great victory for Great Britain.  The brilliant running of E. H. Liddell, the Edinburgh University sprinter, was responsible.  There was a gasp of astonishment when Eric Liddell, one of the most popular athletes at Colombes, was seen to be a clear three yards of the field at half distance.  Nearing the tape Fitch and Butler strained every nerve and muscle to overtake him, but could make absolutely no impression on the inspired Scot.  With 20 yards to go, Fitch seemed to gain a fraction, but Liddell appeared to sense the American, and with his head back and chin thrust out in his usual style, he flashed past the tape to gain what was probably the greatest victory of the meeting so far.  Certainly there has not been a more popular win.  The crowd went into a frenzy of enthusiasm, which was renewed when the loud speaker announced that once again the world record had gone by the board.  This remarkable achievement confirms the view that the quarter mile is Liddell's best distance."

Twenty years later in an interview with Frank Wright of the Aberdeen Press & Journal, Liddell was asked how he had managed to keep his fantastic pace with such a curious style:  "The secret of my success over the 400 metres is that I run the first 200 metres as hard as I can.  Then, for the second 200 metres, with God's help, I run harder."