Harold M. Abrahams

(1899-1978)

 

At the Paris Olympics of 1924, Harold Abrahams won a gold medal in the 100-Meter dash, equaling the Olympic record of 10.6. (He had also clocked 10.6 in his two qualifying heats.)

He also won a silver medal at the same Olympic Games leading off the 4x100-Meter Relay, and finished sixth in the 200-Meter event.

Abrahams' Olympic and personal stories were the subject of the Academy Award winning motion picture "Chariots of Fire". (His Chariots protagonist, Scottish track star E.H. Liddell, ran third in the actual 200-Meters event.)

One of Cambridge University's all-time great student athletes (1920-23), Abrahams was selected to the 1920 British Olympic Team. But he couldn't survive the Olympic 100 and 200 meter sprint qualifying heats, had little success in the long jump, and his 4x100-meter relay team finished sixth.

His Cambridge track successes, nonetheless, continued as the 1924 Olympics approached. Hoping to vindicate himself from what he considered his 1920 debacle, Abrahams hired a coach to prepare him for Olympic rigors. It was the first time a British amateur athlete had paid for personal training. The (then) controversial action paid off as Abrahams shattered England's long jump and 100-meter sprint records before tying the Olympic 100-meter mark enroute to his gold medal.

A broken leg (while long jumping) cut short Abrahams' competitive career one year after the l924 Olympiad. Nonetheless, he further distinguished himself as a sports journalist, broadcaster, and leader of Great Britain's amateur sports establishment.

 

 

Chariots of Fire

Synopsis
The 1981 Academy Award winning film of two British subjects after World War I and their tireless pursuit of winning. It is both a commentary on the former British class society and the drive of human spirit.


The Cast
Ben Cross ............................... Harold Abrahams
Ian Charleson ........................... Eric Liddell
Nigel Havers ............................ Lord Andrew Lindsay
Ian Holm ................................ Coach Mussabini
Sir John Gielgud ........................ Master of Trinity
Lindsay Anderson ........................ Master of Caius
David Yelland ........................... Prince of Wales
Nicholas Farrell ........................ Aubrey Montague

Some Credits
Directed by ............................. Hugh Hudson
Produced by ............................. David Puttnam
Screenplay by ........................... Colin Welland.

The Soundtrack
The Academy Award winning soundtrack, typical of Vangelis' musical style, is widely available.

I hope you enjoy my version .......

 

midi by john meyer

 

Johns Midi Studio

 

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