Eric Liddell (‘Chariots of Fire’) to Share the Gospel at the Paris Olympics, Evangelical Focus

British evangelist John Ioannou John, better known as J. John, has written a booklet based on the Christian athlete Eric Liddell, who won the gold medal at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris a century ago.

According to J. John the booklet is called Run the race of your lifeaims to inspire conversations about God during this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

He recalled that 3.05 billion viewers watched the Tokyo 2020 Games, making it “the most loved sporting event in the world.”

“A global audience will watch as 10,500 athletes attempt to reach a podium finish and engrave their names in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said J. John, who saw it as “a unique opportunity to share the message of Christianity.” share with friends, family, neighbors and colleagues”.

For the evangelist, “it cannot be a coincidence” that both the 1924 and 2024 Olympics will take place in Paris, where he hopes to distribute a million copies. “If we want to reach the world with the gospel, we must reach our world,” he added.

Chariots of fire moving soundtrack has become a staple of sporting events.

The pastor explained that Liddell’s story, retold in this film, focuses on his uncompromising desire to honor God through his running. He added that the Scottish athlete was also known for refusing to compromise his beliefs, even at the risk of losing Olympic glory.

J. John also emphasized that the athlete “did not let his performance define him, but showed how truly amazing God is, and no matter what we face in life, putting God first is always the answer.”

The book has already introduced Liddell’s story to a whole new generation of athletes.

“My husband and I read Run the race of your life and it was such an insight. I had heard of Eric Liddell, but didn’t really know his story. It really reminded me how important it is to put God first and let everything else follow,” said Bethany Firth, six-time Paralympic gold medalist.

John Bostock, professional football player and founder of Ballers in God said the material is “a powerful and timely reminder of an incredible life of sacrifice spent on Jesus rather than on things that fade.”