These names may mean nothing to you, you may have heard of one or two, or you might know their stories.
Across my next few articles, join me as I investigate each one of these sporting athlete’s lives and their faith. These athletes left an indelible mark on sporting culture, and their faith plays a story in their lives and achievements. Here is just a snippet of what is to come across the next few weeks.
Eric Liddell
The well-known movie “Chariots of Fire” (1981) is based on Eric Liddell’s running career alongside a Jewish runner; Harold Abrahams. It follows parts of Eric’s life and the journey of faith, including Liddell pulling out of the 100m race for the Olympic Heats due to the race falling on a Sunday.
Liddell gives up his position and is entered into the 400m race instead (not his favoured event). He claims victory in this, over the American favourite at the time and comes home a victor, especially after attracting international headlines due to his stance to pull out of the race that fell on a Sunday.
Born to Chinese-based Christian Missionaries, Liddell is quoted as saying that “I feel closer to God when I run.”, and for him, not to run would be a dishonour of the gift God has given him. He had a heart for God, dedicating his running to God. After his running career Liddell returned to China as a Missionary, where he died in a Japanese occupied camp in China just before the end of WWII.
Roger Bannister
His name is synonymous with the 4-minute mile, as he was the first person to break the ‘impossible’ barrier in 1954. Although this record was only held for 46 days, Bannister is famous for being the first recorded runner to overcome this feat in 1954.
Born March 1929, Bannister was studying medicine at University during his early twenties and set about making that his focus of the time, leaving little room on the side for running training, or much else. Stories say he committed only ½ hr of training each day to his running, which leaves the question how much more could this man perform if he had dedicated more time.
Nevertheless Bannister, at the end of his life, regards his contributions to the world of neurology as some of his greatest life achievements, receiving national recognition for both his medical and sporting accolades. His life was permeated by church attendance and his faith brought him much solace, joy and strength to both his running days and throughout his medical career.
The final two characters to touch on are our own Australian women.
Margaret Court
Margaret Court, now residing in Perth (WA), has a court named after her in Melbourne, complimentary of her outstanding endeavours in the world of Tennis. She is considered the greatest tennis play of all time, having won an outstanding 24 Grand Slam singles titles (one more than Serena Williams), and 64 majors titles (19 doubles and 21 mixed doubles) in her career which spanned from 1960-1977.
She won her first title (Australian Open) at 18 years of age, and achieved the major of a “Career Slam” (that is, winning all four major titles in the one calendar year), at the age of 21. She is one of only two women (Kim Clijsters) to make such a comeback after multiple breaks for motherhood, Court had three children born in, 1972, 1974 and 1976.
After all these accolades Court maintains her greatest love and passion is Christ. Sometime after her tennis retirement she founded the Margaret Court Ministries and continues to lead a Church in Perth, WA. She has made headlines in recent times for her views on same-sex marriage.
Nicola McDermott
For anyone Aussie sports lovers with eyes glued to the TV during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, there was much exuberance and cheer for Nicola McDermott who won silver in the final of the Women’s High jump( 2.02m).
McDermott made news breaking the Oceania record, and won her way into so many Australian’s hearts with her sheer joy and attitude. For those watching the final, you were compelled along in the journey of our Aussie athlete who did us proud.
Like lots of athletes, McDermott got her start from Little Athletics as a child, stating she was always tall for her age, but never very good at coordinated ball sports.
McDermott’s media speech after her silver medal win put no doubt in the minds of listeners as to her faith as she spoke
“In 2017 was my big moment when it flicked the switch, and I decided to pursue God over sport – whatever comes from sport is a bonus, but I am already complete and perfect and loved as a person regardless of it. That just allowed me to soar over every high jump bar and not be scared anymore because I am loved, and that is the most important thing.”
Over the next few weeks, follow along as I delve deeper into the life of each one of these athletes. Just who are they? What did they achieve? And how did a Life of Faith inspire and equip them in their pursuits.=