“Chariots of Fire” 100-metres story from 1924 Paris Olympics is 100 years old today
The film depicted the true story of sprinters Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell competing for the coveted 100m crown
On this day in 1924, two British men, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, battled for glory in the 100 metres at the Paris Olympics–the story told in the 1981 hit movie Chariots of Fire. Abrahams and Liddell were rivals under one banner, pushing beyond the limits of their day to the most important moments of their lives.
The film, which won four Academy Awards in 1981, (including Best Picture), brought to life the runners’ religious and athletic struggles through the talents of actors Ben Cross and Ian Charleson and the iconic musical vision of composer Vangelis.
The film beautifully evokes the competitiveness between Abrahams (who runs as a way to deal with the anti-Semitism he encountered daily) and Liddell (a devout Christian who ran, he said, for the glory of God). Both men go to Paris to compete for Great Britain at the 1924 Olympics, but when Liddell discovers the heats of the 100m are to take place on a Sunday, he refuses to race, because it’s against his religion. His solution is to race the 400m instead, which is on a different day. (Spoiler alert: he wins.) Abrahams is defeated in the 200m, but goes on to win the 100m.
Beginning July 26, 2024 athletes the world over will once again assemble in Paris (athletics events start Aug. 1), marking 100 years since the events that inspired the film. It will be exciting to compare how things have changed over a century, from athletic technique to track composition, and even the athletes’ accommodations.
Paris Olympics to feature vibrant purple track for athletics events
Olympic Stadium at Colombes will see its second Olympic Games, no longer bearing the brown clay cinder track surface of the 1920s; the Italian firm Mondo will unveil Mondotrack EB, an iconic, two-shade purple track predicted to be the fastest ever created, and composed largely of recycled materials.
The 1924 Games were the first to be broadcast worldwide on live radio. The 1924 Olympic village provided individual furnished wooden huts capable of housing three people, and offering limited services and amenities for its occupants, in marked contrast to today’s relatively luxurious accommodations (despite the cardboard beds).
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