3529 Eric Liddel, Part 1 (Faith, Olympic Athlete, Missionary) Born in China to Scottish missionary parents, Eric Liddell grew up splitting time between London, and Edinburgh, Scotland. Eventually, Liddell attended theUniversity of Edinburgh, where he became a track star. At the1924 Summer Olympicsin Paris, Liddell refused to run in the heats for his favored100 metersbecause they were held on a Sunday, a day Liddell considered "God's Day." He was accused by some of his countrymen as a traitor. Instead he competed in the400 metersheld on a weekday, a race where he won the gold medal. He returned to China in 1925 to serve as a missionary teacher.