"Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu" - Sanskrit Saying
We are again nearing that time of the year for celebrating the upcoming annual Academy Awards on March 2, 2014 and bestowing the Oscar for "Best Picture". It is also nearly nine (9) decades since the 1924 Paris Olympic Games and over three (3) decades since the release of the Academy Awards Best Picture movie Chariots of Fire which were centered around world-renowned athletes including; Eric Liddell, Harold Abrahams, Jackson Scholz and Charles Paddock (who later inspired Jesse Owens).
In today’s
global sports and athletics world, there are multiple scandals of sorts, countless accusations and allegations, rampant
doping due to performance enhancement drugs (PEDs), and so many other
controversies. The list goes on and on. Especially,
in the current scenario, it is so refreshing to draw upon the continual inspiration
of Eric Liddell and his world-class accomplishments in the 100 meters, 200
meters and 400 meters. In addition, a remarkable feat was his winning a bronze
medal in the 200 meters and gold medal in world record time in the 400 meters at the 1924 Paris Olympics (the 400 meters in the Olympics was an event which he never trained for and most naysayers outright doubted Eric Liddell will do well, if not fail).
From a GAIT analysis viewpoint, as a world-class sprinter, Eric Liddell did not have proper "acceptable" Stance / Recovery / Toe-off / Flight phases during his acceleration, sprint, maximum velocity and speed endurance mechanics. He did not have his head in-line with torso, pelvis and leg. Nor did he have his hip extended, knee extended, or ankle extended. His back was not straight nor top of his lead-leg thigh parallel with ground nor his foot in neutral position. Rolling his head back and hands often “grabbing” in the air may have been very awkward for a world-class sprinter. His training may have lacked proper state-of-the-art coaching, fitness, strength conditioning with proper structured methodology, approach and program format as well as routine. The naysayers often came up with much more adverse critique on Eric Liddell's biomechanics. It was even said that he ran like a "wild animal".
Yes, in recent years, the
global sports and athletics world has come a long way from Eric Liddell's time and has been advanced significantly with respect
to health, nutrition, fitness, training, and competition as well as
professionalization, multimillion dollar endorsements, and lucrative shoe and
apparel contracts of sorts; all may be well and good in its own way.
However, just for a moment in time, it is truly amazing to watch, better understand and hopefully better appreciate the remarkable achievements of Eric Liddell as well as how he did; what he did; where he did; why he did; and when he did. Many times it has been said, in life, it is not what we are outside, but, who we are truly inside. Looking back, Eric Liddell celebrated global humankind and life. He may not be a global icon, but, truly is a continual inspiration and role-model for generations-upon-generations from all over the world from various walks-of-life.
However, just for a moment in time, it is truly amazing to watch, better understand and hopefully better appreciate the remarkable achievements of Eric Liddell as well as how he did; what he did; where he did; why he did; and when he did. Many times it has been said, in life, it is not what we are outside, but, who we are truly inside. Looking back, Eric Liddell celebrated global humankind and life. He may not be a global icon, but, truly is a continual inspiration and role-model for generations-upon-generations from all over the world from various walks-of-life.
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