Eric Liddell - The Flying Scotsman

In short...

Themes: The story of Eric Liddell; using your talents; standing up for what you believe.

Summary: This assembly focuses on the story from the 1924 Olympics of Eric Liddell - 'The Flying Scotsman'. It is one of the best known stories about a British Olympic athlete, celebrated in the 1981 film 'Chariots of Fire'. The assembly starts with a 'Talent Show', which takes a light-hearted look at some unusual and fun talents the pupils might have, as a way in to thinking about what actual talents they might be developing.

The video

This assembly focuses on the story from the 1924 Olympic Games of Eric Liddell - 'The Flying Scotsman' - celebrated in the film 'Chariots of Fire'. Eric is an outstanding athlete and as the Paris Olympic Games of 1924 approach he is the hot favourite to win the 100 metres sprint. But when the event schedule is published Eric discovers his race will be run on a Sunday - which, due to his Christian faith, he is not prepared to do. Instead he must enter another race - the 400 metres - but surely he cannot win…

Duration: 5' 57"

End of speech: '…an Olympic gold medal for a race that everyone thought he could not win'.

NB. On 2 January 2022 Eric Liddell was inducted into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame, on the 100th anniversary of his first cap for Scotland.

Video questions

What was Eric's nickname? ('The Flying Scotsman' - on account of his speed.)
In what city were the 1924 Olympics held? (Paris - capital city of France.)
What was Eric's favourite race? (The 100 metres sprint - Eric was considered the best in the world over short distances at the time.)
Why did Eric choose not to enter the 100 metres race? (Because the final was to be held on a Sunday and Eric - a devout Christian - would not run on a Sunday, the Christian 'day of rest'.)
What happened just as Eric was about to start the 400 metres race? (Someone came out from the crowd and gave Eric a piece of paper - written on it were some words from the Bible: 'Those who honour me, I shall honour'.)
What was special about Eric's gold-medal victory? (He won the 400 metres - a race he had only just started training for… and it was the first gold medal won by a Scottish athlete.)

Key links

Download / print the assembly framework ready for use

Assembly framework (pdf)

Suggested framework

1. Entry music The theme music from the film 'Chariots of Fire' by Vangelis.

2. Introduction Introduce the 'XXX's Talent Show' [inserting the name of your school] and see who among you can do the following things: pat your head and rub your tummy; wink with one eye then the other; roll up your tongue; beat-box; snap / click your fingers audibly; lick your elbow (no-one should be able to do this - but it's fun to try!) There may be other unusual things that you can think of, so be creative! Explain that these are just a few light-hearted talents that children might be able to do, but that there are many more serious ones that they might possess or be developing - such as singing, or playing an instrument, or swimming, etc. Link this to today's video about someone who had very special talents…and ask the children to think carefully about what those talents were as they watch.

3. The video Play the video. The duration is 5' 57" and the final words are: '…an Olympic gold medal for a race that everyone thought he could not win'.

4. After the video Ask the children the story questions to consolidate their recall of events.

5. Time to talk Ask the children to tell you what special talents Eric Liddell had - running for sure, but what else (his determination…his kindness…his conviction?) And ask the children to consider the things that they think that they are good at.

6. Opportunity to sing An opportunity to sing your chosen song. Suggestions from BBC collections below.

7. Opportunity for reflection 'We've heard today how Eric Liddell used the special talent for running that he believed God had given him… He once said that when he ran he 'felt God's pleasure'… He felt it was what he was meant to do. What makes you feel this way…? Maybe it's running, like Eric…or maybe singing…or swimming…or drawing… I wonder what Eric's story can teach us about how to take care of and develop our own special talents…? I wonder what advice Eric Liddell would give us about our gifts and abilities…?

8. Opportunity for prayer Your usual form of address ['Dear God' etc] and: 'We thank you for the inspiring story of Eric Liddell, who achieved so much in his life as an athlete. Thank you for all the skills and abilities that we have. Help us to learn from his example, to enjoy the special talents and abilities we have, to practise them, to persevere and to be fair in how we treat others. Amen.'

Suggested songs

All together as a family - Vocal