Hong Kong, China, June 15, 2024: A pop-up exhibition commemorating “Chariots of Fire” legend Eric Liddell was launched on June 13 and will run through June 27 at The Rotunda at Exchange Square in Central, Hong Kong.
The two-week long exhibition celebrates the life, sporting achievements and charitable service of the Olympian and international rugby star known as “The Flying Scotsman” on the centenary of his 400m gold medal performance at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris.
Eric was born and died in China, spending most of his life in missionary service. The historic occasion of this summer’s Paris Olympiad presents a timely opportunity for people to appreciate the extraordinary life of the man that was immortalised in the films,“Chariots of Fire” and “On Wings of Eagles” by noted Hong Kong film director Steven Shin.
The exhibition is part of a multi-national campaign and programme of events and activities coordinated by The Eric Liddell 100 Foundation, with similar displays already taking place in Beijing and later this year in Liddell’s ancestral home of Scotland.
The exhibition was opened by the event’s special patrons including Mr Brian Davidson, CMG, Consul General of the United Kingdom to Hong Kong & Macao, and Mr David Batchelor, Finance Director, Hong Kong & Macau for Hongkong Land, which generously donated The Rotunda to host the Exhibition.
Guest of honour was Dr Cheng Hon-kwan. The 97-year-old former EXCO and LEGCO member and past chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Authority in the 1980s was taught chemistry by Liddell as an 11-year-old youth in 1938 in China.
“I was fortunate to be a student of Eric’s in Tianjin. During those years, Eric inspired hundreds of Chinese students with his values. He was a hero to us as an Olympic gold medalist,” said Dr Cheng.
“I remember in the time of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the China Olympic Committee paid special tribute to Eric for his outstanding performance and achievements in sports and named him as the first China-born Olympian in history.
“Eric was a great man, not just because of his distinguished achievements in sports, but also for his integrity, his love for people, and his dedication to peace among nations. He had a great love for the Chinese people and they loved him.
“Eric will always be remembered. I am still proud of being a student of his and wish this exhibition every success,” Dr Cheng concluded in his keynote address.
