Chariots Of Fire hero Eric Liddell given honorary degree by Edinburgh University

Eric Liddell, one of Scotland’s most celebrated sportsmen, has been awarded an honorary degree from Edinburgh University – where he studied more than a century ago.

Liddell won a gold medal in the 400 metres at the Paris Olympics in 1924, along with a bronze in the 200 metres, as well as caps for Scotland’s national rugby team.

But he declined to take part in the heats of his favoured 100-metre event at the 1924 games due to them taking place on a Sunday, which conflicted with his Christian faith.

Nicknamed the Flying Scotsman, Liddell’s exploits would be immortalised in the 1981 film. Chariots Of Fire.

The athlete studied pure science at the university before going on to teach and work as a missionary in China.

During the Second World War, he was interned by Japanese forces, and died in 1945.

On Monday, Mr Liddell’s 88-year-old daughter, Patricia Liddell Russell, received the degree from the university’s Moray House School of Education and Sport, for which he was nominated by chair of sport Professor Grant Jarvie.

Prof Jarvie said: “Eric Liddell is one of Scotland’s most celebrated athletes of all time. When inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, he topped the public vote as Scotland’s most popular sports person.

“A century after his Olympic success and graduating from University of Edinburgh, what Eric Liddell represents is the best of all of us and the promise and invitation of what we could do to help others.

“As we look forward to another Olympic Games in Paris this summer, it is entirely deserved that we honour this remarkable person’s contribution to sport and humanity with this honorary degree today.”

Ms Liddell Russell said: “I was sitting on the stage in the graduation ceremony thinking, 100 years ago, practically to the day, my father received his own degree from the University of Edinburgh.

“How extraordinary it is to be here all these years later, and to think back on how he used his degree throughout his own life, in teaching and helping others.

“It is important that my father is remembered today, and for me personally, it is a huge gift that he is recognised with this honorary degree for who he was and what he was.”

Liddell has been inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame.