Tag: Eric Liddell 100 campaign

Eric Liddell 100 launches the Eric Liddell Awards in honour of Scotland’s Olympic hero

AWARDS WILL BE HOSTED BY SALLY MAGNUSSON AND DAVID TANNER, AND PRESENTED BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCESS ANNE 

The Eric Liddell 100 has announced today the launch of its new ‘Eric Liddell Awards’ which will be held on Friday the 1 November 2024 as part of a Gala Dinner and will celebrate some of the outstanding individuals contributing to Scotland’s athletics and sports.  

Launched by The Eric Liddell Community charity, The Eric Liddell 100 campaign honours the centenary of The Flying Scotsman’s famous Olympic gold medal in Paris 1924, 100 years on, celebrating the life, sporting and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s iconic figures through a series of initiatives, events and activities, with the final event of 2024 being the ‘Eric Liddell 100 Awards’.  

To form the awards, the charity has partnered with five organisations to honour some of Scotland’s most outstanding individuals in athletics and sports, who have demonstrated the charity’s core values: passion, compassion, and integrity.  

Throughout this year Scottish Athletics, Youthlink Scotland, Scottish Rugby, Scottish Disability Sport and The Eric Liddell Community, have awarded 100 individuals with ‘Eric Liddell Recognition Awards’ with each winner presented with a unique Eric Liddell 100 pin badge and a certificate. Each partner will also nominate one individual to be celebrated further at the Eric Liddell 100 Awards in November.  

John MacMillan, Chief Executive Officer of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “We are so proud to announce the launch of this incredible awards ceremony as part of the Eric Liddell 100, and are honoured to be able to create a platform for outstanding individuals across Scotland to be recognised for their achievements in athletics, sports and community work.

“These nominees can beathletes, coaches, officials, volunteers or community members who have displayed one or more of our core values of passion, compassion and integrity.  

“We very much look forward to honouring the incredible nominees in November. This is the first year of the awards, and we hope to make this an annual tradition, continuing to commemorate Eric Liddell through this incredible initiative.”  

Colin Hutchison, CEO of Scottish Athletics, said: “We are thrilled to take part in the very first Eric Liddell Awards in honour of one of Scotland’s greatest athletes and his legacy.

“It is important to us to highlight the wonderful achievements of our members, and this is truly an amazing way to do so. Eric Liddell’s contribution to Scottish athletics is extremely admirable and his passion for the sport and compassion towards everyone he met is something we want to continue honouring through our involvement with Eric Liddell 100.”  

Hosted by Scottish icon Sally Magnusson – broadcaster and author of ‘The Flying Scotsman: The Eric Liddell Story’ – and sports broadcaster David Tanner, the awards will also feature elite sports people who have shown their dedication to Eric Liddell’s core values.

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, who serves as Patron of the Eric Liddell 100, will present each nominee with an award highlighting their achievements.  

During a service of centenary celebration and remembrance in June 2024, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, praised the Eric Liddell 100 and stated: “The Eric Liddell 100 is a programme of events and activities to recognise and celebrate the life, sporting, and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s, and the UK’s, iconic figures, The Flying Scotsman Eric Liddell.

“The 2024 Olympics in Paris are taking place 100 years after Eric Liddell won Olympic Gold and Bronze medals at the 1924 Games, which also took place in Paris. 

“As the 2024 Olympics return to Paris, we all have an opportunity to remember, celebrate, and be inspired by the story of Eric Liddell. Those involved in The Eric Liddell 100 carefully considered suitable values for this initiative, values that Eric Liddell lived by and demonstrated daily; passion, compassion, and integrity.” 

For more information on The Eric Liddell Awards and how to get involved, please visit https://ericliddell.org/events/eric-liddell-awards-gala-dinner/ 

Eric Liddell 100 campaign launched

Inaugural lecture by the University of Edinburgh’s Chair of Sport to rally support from charity peers and Scotland’s business scene

On Tuesday 7th November 2023, a momentous event took place at the Fingal Hotel in Leith. Esteemed members of society came together to demonstrate their support for The Eric Liddell Community’s ambitious legacy campaign: “The Eric Liddell 100.”

Hosted by The Eric Liddell Community, in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, this event marked a milestone in the exciting journey to commemorate the centenary of Eric Liddell’s historic triumph at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris while ensuring his inspirational legacy endures for generations to come.

Supported by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Patron of The Eric Liddell 100, the programme of events and activities will recognise and celebrate the life, sporting, and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s most iconic sporting figures, Eric Liddell.

John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community who is leading this legacy initiative said: “With the 2024 Olympic Games returning to Paris exactly 100 years since Eric Liddell’s amazing success at the 1924 Games, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commemorate, remember, and celebrate ‘The Flying Scotsman’.

“The Eric Liddell 100 campaign, along with its programme of events and activities will recognise and celebrate Eric – one of Scotland’s and the UK’s most iconic sporting figures – and embed his story for young people today, future generations, and communities across the world.   

“’The Eric Liddell 100’ campaign will not only commemorate his historic achievement but also serve as a reminder of his unwavering dedication to his values and his people. We are not only thrilled but deeply honoured to have the support of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Professor Dr Grant Jarvie.

“It also wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners and supporters, many of whom were in the room with us at the event. We cannot thank them enough for their drive to help us secure the legacy of Eric Liddell.”

Reflecting on the event, Professor Dr Grant Jarvie, Chair of Sport and Founding Director of the Academy of Sport at the University of Edinburgh said: “It’s an honour to be asked to deliver the Inaugural Eric Liddell Lecture. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, it will be 100 years since the athlete won gold and bronze and refused to run on a Sunday.

“Yet what Eric Liddell offers us is an example of what is possible. Eric Henry Liddell’s humanity and values are as good a foundation as any for striving to make the world a better place. Eric Liddell – a legacy, an inspiration a legend who chose to make a difference, did referee sports matches on a Sunday, did inspire the building of sports facilities in China and whose life could and should inspire future generations”.  

The Eric Liddell 100 campaign will encompass a series of events, educational initiatives, and community outreach programmes throughout 2024 and beyond, to mark the centenary of Eric Liddell’s historic victory at the 1924 Olympic Games.

For more information and to get involved, please visit https://ericliddell.org/the-eric-liddell-100/.

PICTURES: Mike Wilkinson