BEIJING, CHINA (ANS) -- Eric Liddell, the subject of the Academy Award winning film, Chariots of Fire, and his passion for sport and Christ, is featured yet again at the Olympics - but this time, it is his life story in the book entitled “Running the Race”, published by Evangelical Press of Webster, New York, also translated into Chinese, that is drawing all the attention and inspiring attendees of this year's Beijing Summer Olympics.

A news release from Christian Newswire says, “A leading publisher of

Cover of Running the Race

Reformed and Evangelical literature, Evangelical Press, has opened new doors of opportunity by partnering with a local Chinese publisher in the translation and distribution of tens of thousands of copies of an exciting new and readable biography, authored by Rev. John Keddie, an adviser to the film Chariots of Fire. The Chinese version of the book is being officially distributed via both Christian and traditional bookstores in Beijing and in China generally.

“In addition, the author, John Keddie and Evangelical Press' marketing associate Peter Cooper, are on the ground in China promoting the book during the final Olympic week in Beijing but also in Weifang where Liddell is buried and Tianjin where Liddell taught.

“The book itself captures the enduring fascination of the life of Eric Liddell, known as the “Flying Scotsman” who won the Gold medal in the 400 meters race in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris but, more importantly, illustrated that honoring God is the highest human achievement especially when faced with enormous pressure to compromise. It also tells of his missionary work in China after his Olympic success and how he remained in the country during World War II and died in the land of his birth.”

Peter Cooper, Design and Business Development Manager for “Running the Race in China”, reports from Beijing, “It is thrilling to see how eager the Chinese are to read ‘Running the Race’ and embrace the story of Eric Liddell. In fact, Liddell, who, due to his birth and death in the country is honored as China's first Olympic champion and they are drawn to this great man who cut his athletic career short so that he could serve Christ among the Chinese people during their hour of severest trial.

Eric Liddell -- The Flying Scotsman -- in action

“And best yet, through our efforts, the gospel that Eric preached, is still being preached today in the land that he loved. The race that he started, is still being run today for God's glory.”

In his last letter to his wife, written on the day he died, Liddell talked about suffering a nervous breakdown in the camp due to overwork, but in actuality he was suffering from an inoperable brain tumor, to which being overworked and malnourished probably hastened his demise. He died on February 21, 1945, sadly five months before liberation.

He was greatly mourned not only at the Weihsien internment Camp but also in Scotland as well. A fellow internee, Langdon Gilkey, was later to write, “The entire camp, especially its youth, was stunned for days, so great was the vacuum that Eric's death had left.” Liddell's last words were allegedly “It's complete surrender.”

Fifty-six years after the 1924 Paris Olympics, Scotsman Allan Wells won the 100 meter dash at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. When asked after the victory if he had run the race for Harold Abrahams, the last 100 meter Olympic winner from Britain (in 1924), Wells replied, “No, this one was for Eric Liddell.”

Eric Liddell was voted in The Scotsman newspaper in an August 8, 2008 poll as the most popular athlete Scotland has ever produced.

For More Information:

To learn more about the Eric Liddell and “Running the Race”, download a sample chapter from the book and read Sebastian Coe's foreword (British former Olympic Gold Medalist and chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2012 London Olympics), please visit http://www.evangelicalpress.org/esales/product_info.php?products_id=1893. Also check Peter Cooper's blog http://www.runningtheraceinchina.blogspot.com/ as he reports on the day to day activities surrounding the promotion of “Running the Race” in China.

Dan Wooding, 67, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma of 45 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS); and US Bureau Chief for the Missionaries News Service (www.missionariesnews.tv) and Safe Worlds IPTV’s Christian News Services. He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding He is also the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com.