Chariots of Fire – What We Can Learn From Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Chariots of Fire
What We Can Learn from Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams
Earlier this week we were watching a documentary on TV (a rare occurrence for us) about the re-make of Chariots of Fire (very applicable given the London Olympics are only a few weeks away) and it prompted us to write this post because to be quite honest it was truly inspiring ….. and we all need a little inspiration every now and again.
The program was a wonderful and insightful documentary on ITV where actor Nigel Havers uncovers the true story behind the Oscar-winning movie. During the documentary we saw some incredible footage of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams and discovered the real men behind the characters and what drove them to Olympic Glory.
With the London Olympics just around the corner this was a fascinating programme to watch but more important were the things that we learnt from Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams that are as true today as they were then ….. and it’s not about being a great athlete and winning an Olympic medal – it’s about the characters of the two men and what drove them to succeed.
One of the first poingnant moments was when Sir Trevor McDonald says of what he learnt from the documentary and the film of Liddell and Abrahams “It gave virtue to my belief that whatever is achieved is only achieved by hard work” It’s so true!
This sent us to research some of the famous scenes from the film with messages that are as important today as they were then
The Power That Comes From Within
Eric Liddell won Olympic gold in the 400m in 1924
Here Eric Liddell speaks about the power that comes from within …. he say “I have no formula for winning the race … everyone runs in her own way or his own way… where does the power come from to see the race to the end …. from within
“You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It’s hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape – especially if you’ve got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you’re dinner’s burnt. Maybe you haven’t got a job. So who am I to say, “Believe, have faith,” in the face of life’s realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end?”
Harold Abrahams
Harold Abrahams won won Olympic gold in the 100m in 1924
I Run to Win ….. If I can’t win, I won’t run!
Harold Abrahams had huge issues with self belief and self doubt – in fact his mindset just before the final was totally shot – he says he “felt like a condemned man about to go to the gallows” ….”I’ve know the fear of losing and now I’m almost too frightened to win”
Now we all have those same doubts – fortunately he had a great coach who said the very things he needed to hear
“Two things to remember – the report of the pistol and the tape – when you hear the one – run like hell for the other ”
So … overall learnings from the documentary are that your mindset is absolutely key in whatever you do. We always talk about the importance of ‘taking part’ being more important than winning the race but actually you have to see yourself as a winner.
We leave you with the inspirational opening scenes of the film and the wonderful signature music of the film by Vangelis …… wouldn’t it be great if that were the signature music for the London Olympic Games!
Dame Kelly Holmes
“I think Chariots of Fire brings everything together around ACHIEVEMENT HARD WORK DEDICATION AND SUCCESS …. a film like this to INSPIRE everbody”
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