How gold medallist Luke starred in Eric Liddell repeat . . . 100 years on

Monday 19th August 2024

Photo by Bobby Gavin

Eric liddell – the life of an athletics legend

A century has elapsed since Eric Liddell famously declined to compete in his favoured 100m event at the 1924 Olympics – because the heats were on a Sunday.

The committed Christian duly won gold in the 400m and thus became an icon of Scottish sport.

We named our 131^st Senior Track and Field Championships in honour of Liddell . . . and the event at Grangemouth delivered a remarkable repeat story.

Inverness Harriers middle distance runner Luke Davidson wanted to run the Men’s 1500m but found those were scheduled for Sunday. Luke’s faith precludes him from competing or running on a Sunday.

Instead, he switched to the 800m and won gold at the Eric Liddell Senior Scottish Champs with a run of 1:54.51 which saw him head 2023 World Para T20 1500m champion Ben Sandilands on the home straight at Grangemouth.

‘I dropped into the 800m today (Saturday) even though I am really a 1500m runner,’ said Luke

‘The 1500m was scheduled for Sunday and I don’t run Sundays – so I felt very much like Eric Liddell at Grangemouth.

‘I wanted to represent what he did and his Christian mission. That is more important to me than his running – that’s why he missed the 100m at the 1924 Olympics.

‘I felt I did the same this weekend. I wasn’t sure if I could pull off the same victory he did but – Thank You to God – I did. I don’t think I was a favourite going into the 800m but middle distance races can go any way on the day.’

Luke was wearing a Christians In Sport top as he spoke to Callum Watt for us at Grangemouth.

‘My faith is number one for me. I train for athletics six days a week but I don’t compete or train on Sundays. I will go to church on Sunday and therefore I am not in the 1500m at Grangemouth.

‘Eric Liddell changed from the 100m because of the Sunday heats in 1924 and switched to the 400m.

He has always been an inspiration of mine – so I felt like him at Grangemouth in that 800m final. I am trying to follow his footsteps as best I can.

‘And on this weekend of all weekends, when Scottish Athletics named their Senior Champs after Eric Liddell, it felt right to win that gold.’

Luke is coached by Ross Cairns and has trained often with Olympian Megan Keith for a number of years.

‘I have the same coach as Megan Keith (Ross Cairns) and we’ve been together for six or seven years,’ he added.

‘Megan has always been in the group so I know her really well. What she has achieved has been amazing.

‘Ross is brilliant as a coach as well. His sessions are working for everyone from 800m to 10,000m. that shows his class.

‘He has also totally worked around Sundays for me. Athletes as a rule always do long runs on a Sunday but I don’t. Ross adjusts my training around that.

‘I can’t really compare myself to Megan – she is an Olympian now – but a wee victory here and there is sweet and it is great to be a Senior Scottish champion at 800m.’