Eric Liddell

One of the greatest heroes of the Cross in this centuryEric Liddell, hero of the film Chariots of Fire, risked becoming a national disgrace at the 1924 Paris Olympics when he refused to run on a Sunday.

Disqualifying himself from the finals, Britain's hope of a medal was sacrificed as well.

But the thinly veiled criticism in the press turned to sensational acclaim when Eric entered—and won—a race for which he was completely untrained, finishing a full five meters ahead of the favorite.He was a celebrity, but the faith which had inspired his courageous stand stirred in him again, and at the height of his fame he announced that he was leaving athletics to return as a missionary to the land of his birth, China.

This story of "God's Athlete" makes for exciting reading.From renowned Scottish athlete to missionary in China.