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5 books about sports other than baseball

These recent releases offer plenty of variety

4. 'The Final Race: The Incredible World War II Story of the Olympian Who Inspired Chariots of Fire,’ by Eric T. Eichinger with Eva Marie Everson

  • By Ross Atkin

Few Olympians have ever been featured as glowingly in a movie as Eric Liddell, the Scottish sprinter who took a religious stand at the 1924 Paris Games that inspired the cinematic hit “Chariots of Fire.” It focused on his decision to withdraw from his best event, the 100 meters, rather than race on Sunday, only to win at 400 meters by upsetting the American gold medal favorites in a race contested during the week. The story really doesn’t end there. It is only the dramatic opening chapter of a life as a Christian missionary, which is the focus of “The Final Race.” Liddell’s missionary work took him to China in 1925, where he basically lived until his death in a Japanese civilian internment camp during World War II in 1943.

Here’s an excerpt from The Final Race:

“British fans provided great fanfare as their Olympic team embarked from Victoria Station. The elaborate send-off propelled the team into the opening ceremonies, allowing them to establish momentum early. On Sunday, July 6, while Eric worshipped at Scots Kirk, Harold Abrahams qualified for the 100-meter semifinals, which were to be held the following day. On Monday, Abrahams went on to win the gold medal in the 100 meters with a time [of] 10.6“

“Britain breathed a sigh of relief at Abraham’s triumph, staking claim to the fastest man in the world with a new Olympic record, while no one said a negative word about the fact that Liddell had been exactly where he’d said he’d be – at church – the day before.”

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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