One hundred years have hurtled on and the modern Olympics have returned to Paris, reminiscent of the groundbreaking performances by the sprinting legends Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell. Both men have left enduring legacies and will be remembered for their contributions off the track as well as on it. The film ‘Chariots of Fire’ was an enjoyable, inspiring and memorable piece of cinematography despite the inaccuracies concerning some events. Several biographies have been written about Liddell of varying quality, though fewer on Abrahams. Leaning very heavily on the work of Mark Ryan who authored ‘Running with Fire’ and John Keddie, who wrote ‘Running the Race,’ here is a centennial two-part tribute to both runners and their remarkable lives.
Harold Abrahams
Who would have thought that a seven-month baby weighing three and a half pounds and from humble beginnings, would win the most prestigious event at the 1924 Paris Olympics? Harold’s father ‘Isaac’ was a Lithuanian Jew who had escaped to Britain to avoid persecution. His mother ‘Esther’ was the eldest of eight siblings and helped Isaac adjust to life in England. Although Isaac could barely speak English he was a gifted businessman and entrepreneur. Abrahams left home temporarily, attended a Jewish prep school in Brighton for four terms and had a Bar Mitzvah, though did not join a congregation.
Abrahams exhibited running potential from a young age which was bolstered by his older brothers who pushed him to excel and who were fine athletes themselves. He went to school at Repton in Derbyshire although one boarding house rejected him since he was the son of a moneylender. Abrahams faced anti-Semitism at both Repton and Cambridge University, though at Repton he was able to utilise his athletic ability to even the score.
He was a versatile athlete and though he excelled especially at sprinting and long jump, he also performed well at hurdling, high jump and shot putt. In those days it was not uncommon to have a qualifying round, semifinal and final for a particular discipline on the same day and to compete in more than one event.
Abrahams was a complex and intriguing character. If he succeeded he was not shy of singing his own praises, though when he seldom performed below par, he was equally critical of himself, combining that with a touch of humour. At the Antwerp Olympics he quipped that he needed a powerful pair of field glasses to view his rival Charley paddock! His assessment of the 1920 Olympics was that “I represented Great Britain in four events…and in none with any distinction whatsoever.”
In addition to reading law and training for athletics, Abrahams was committed to other causes, some of which were benevolent. He ably assisted young working men who had not had the opportunity to benefit from a university education and took part in their sporting activities, contributed articles for their magazine and helped to produce a play.
His fiancée at Cambridge, ‘Christina’ used to help him train by riding a bicycle as Harold sped along, making his training somewhat more interesting. She also photographed him in action. In Mark Ryan’s biography of Harold Abrahams there is a superb shot of Abrahams suspended in the air, splendidly clearing the bar in an Inter-Collegiate competition.
Christina lost both her brothers in WWI yet she was determined to acquire a university education. In her day there were only two women’s colleges at Cambridge and women were not awarded degrees. Similarly, it was only in 1856 that an Act of Parliament opened up Cambridge BA degrees to Jewish students.[i] It should not go unnoticed how difficult life is for Jewish students facing antisemitism across universities in the UK presently.
The great Sam Mussabini was formative in Abraham’s athletic career. He was an accomplished sportsman, though specialised in coaching and especially the mechanics of running. He mentored for over five decades and was so successful that he was able to apply his coaching principles to train champion cyclists too. His advice was dispensed in a courteous and respectful manner and he was willing to provide reasons for his methods when on occasions, Abrahams would challenge a particular point of view.
Mussabini also helped Abrahams handle the big occasions. There is a great scene in the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ when Mussabini together with Abrahams and fellow competitor Arthur Porritt in Mussabini’s hired residence, (whom Abrahams thoughtfully invited to draw away from the crowds and all the attention a few hours before the final in Paris). Mussabini was wise to not overcomplicate his final words before the race of Abraham’s life since he was highly strung and an overthinker. He also sent him an encouraging and famous note focussing his attention on two things, namely the sound of the gun and breaking the tape at the end of the race.
Previously and on more than one occasion, Harold had sought opinion from his brother Adolphe, who was a doctor. Abrahams would at times become so stressed about competing that he experienced all manner of physical symptoms. At one time, older brother reprimanded and informed younger brother that it was just nerves, before Harold went onto set a new intervarsity record of eight inter-Varsity firsts!
There was considerable rivalry from the four Americans, Paddock, Scholtz, Bowman and Murchison and there was a noticeable drama even before the final in Paris. In Abraham’s semifinal at the starting line, he glanced one athlete move before he thought the gun sounded and for a fraction, he delayed getting out of the blocks, thus starting in effect almost two yards behind the other competitors. Astonishingly, Abrahams fought the natural impulse to run like a madman, maintained his composure, closed the gap and not only qualified for the final but equalled the Olympic record for the second time. Ironically, Abrahams considered that his semifinal run was his best sprinting ever.
In the final all six competitors started promisingly and in unison, though part way through the race Abrahams was conscious that he was moving marginally faster than they all were. He needed to hold his nerve. Abrahams was able to maintain his composure, hold his form and with a practised and timely dive, broke the tape in 10.6 seconds for the 100 yards. He had won the Olympic final and was filled with pure joy and relief.
Undoubtedly many readers are thinking how this compares with today’s standards. Mark Ryan points out that when comparing performances then and now, we need to take the following into account. The rules then stated that anything over 10:5 seconds would be rounded to 10.6. Abrahams ran 10.52. Also consider the equipment available today including proper starting blocks, better spikes and much improved running tracks. Furthermore factor in greater facilities, time able to be invested, quality of coaching and other benefits now freely available, demonstrate the noteworthy and respectable performances of that era.
The following year Abrahams took part in a match between Bedford County and the London Athletic Club. Abrahams was aiming to clear 25 feet but sadly the take off board was badly worn and he hit the ground with a straight leg at considerable speed. Although his leg was not broken, a clean break would probably have been less detrimental. He passed out having severely torn much muscle and nerves around it. Strangely Abrahams experienced both relief, pain and sadness. He was relieved that the question when he would retire had been settled, the pain obviously was awful and he was disappointed that he never jumped 25 feet.
Harold retained a lifelong interest in athletics and was instrumental in commentary and his broadcasts are the predecessor of what we have today. This began with a mobile commentary box which was so unglamorous, almost laughable and in appearance resembled a small bird watching hide with windows! Harold was the first to use a loudspeaker instead of a megaphone for commentary of athletic events. He loved statistics, had a thorough knowledge and spoke well. He would also commentate at the controversial Berlin Olympics.
Meanwhile Harold had met the opera singer Sybil Evers. Harold was not musically gifted but was enthusiastic and most supportive of her and also loved Gilbert and Sullivan from his youth. Abrahams was apprehensive of marriage yet Evers was incredibly patient, gracious and sagacious during their courtship and they would be happily married until his death.
It would be a gross understatement to say that Germany was not a safe place for Jewish people in the years leading up to WWII. However Abrahams was delighted to witness Jesse Owens remarkable performances as he won the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The German long jumper Luz Long advised Owens to adjust his run up leading to Owen’s victory undoubtedly much to Hitler’s annoyance and Abraham’s elation. Abrahams retained a firm friendship with Owens and made an effort to meet with him as frequently as possible thereafter.
Abrahams played a massive part in enabling the 1948 Olympic Games to be held in London at a time when politics threatened to prevent that from happening. He became Assistant Treasurer to the Amateur Athletic Board. He would become a founder member of the National Union of Track Statisticians. He could also write extensively about athletics as well as commentate on athletics and took the young and promising Roger Bannister under his wing, spurring him on to break the four-minute mile. Abrahams noticed similar personality traits between himself and Roger. Hence Sybil and Harold would at times invite Roger to stay at their home for weekends and even holiday together to give Roger a much-needed break from the pressure of competing and being in the limelight.
Later in life Abrahams greatly enjoyed using his organisational and negotiating abilities which were put to good effect solving conflicts of interest from various parties to establish and develop National Parks in the UK. He did that for thirteen years. He even received a CBE as Secretary of the National Parks Commission and for his commentary and journalism.
The End of the Race?
Though their stories are both fascinating an interwoven, Abrahams and Liddell only rarely competed against each other on a few occasions. They both had a healthy respect for one another and were hugely influential off the track as well as on it. Though Liddell ran on occasions after the 1924 Olympics, his life continued on another course on which he was already firmly established. Like Mussabini’s note to Abrahams before his 100m race, Liddell was also famously handed a note from part of a biblical text with an eternal perspective before his 400m race, 1 Samuel 2:30, ‘For those who honour Me I will honour’.
Liddell was running in an even greater race, the race of faith, surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, looking to the Author and Perfector of his faith. He was running in a way so as not to be hindered and not to receive merely a perishable crown, but an imperishable one. Liddell did not look back, but pressed onwards for the upward call serving God and others selflessly. Do you have a race plan for your life? What are you running for and are you even in the race? Part two of this mini-series will follow the life and race of Eric Liddell.
[i] A Short History of Cambridge Jewry https://www.ctjc.org.uk/calendar/history