This week in Christian history: Samaritan’s Purse founded, Swaggart admits sin, Eric Liddell dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Twitter

Eric Liddell dies – February 21, 1945

Eric Liddell (1902-1945), famed Olympic runner and Scottish missionary, was the subject of the 1981 film 'Chariots of Fire.'
Eric Liddell (1902-1945), famed Olympic runner and Scottish missionary, was the subject of the 1981 film "Chariots of Fire." | (Photo: Public Domain)

This week marks the anniversary of when Olympic gold medalist and missionary to China Eric Liddell, one of the main characters of the hit 1981 film “Chariots of Fire,” died in a Japanese prison camp.

Born in China to Scottish missionaries, Liddell returned to China as a missionary following the 1924 Olympics, where he refused to run in the 100-meter heats because one of the qualifying rounds was held on a Sunday. 

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Along with other foreigners, he was placed in an internment camp by the Japanese army when they invaded the region.

His official cause of death was a massive brain tumor developed while working in the camp.

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