Chariots of Fire is an excellent example of the importance of sticking to one’s values, principles, and mission. The movie portrays the story of two athletes who do not run for selfish reasons like money or fame. One of them runs to honor God, be an exemplary man, a devoted Christian, and a successful athlete. The other runs to break down prejudices against Jewish people. Despite facing significant elitist pressure, both athletes remain unwavering in their convictions.
Eric Liddell, for instance, is pressured to abandon his principles and break his loyalty to the rules and principles of Christianity by the British Olympic Committee, the Prince of Wales, and other prominent figures. However, his unwavering commitment to his values and principles helps him remain on his path.

Similarly, Harold Abrahams faces pressure based on different prejudices. As a Jew, he struggles to be accepted as a respectable member of British society. He is criticized by Cambridge College Masters for employing a professional coach and not training himself with an amateur spirit.

However, despite these interferences, both athletes stay true to their principles, values, and missions.

In my personal life, I faced a similar situation when I was writing articles for three competing national economy magazines with my name in the 1990s. Although the editors of these magazines were happy with my articles based on reader feedback, the editor-in-chief of Capital magazine asked me to stop writing for the other two magazines. It was a difficult decision for me because Capital was the largest national magazine at the time, and I did not want to lose the reputation it provided me.

However, I have always been a free-spirited person and never make decisions based on the push of others. I had two options: compromise my freedom and continue to write for Capital magazine, or maintain my integrity and continue writing for the two other relatively small magazines. In the end, I did not compromise and quit writing for Capital. Over time, I have become one of the well-known columnists and authors in Turkey. I share this story to inspire others to stick to their principles and values for a contented life. Ultimately, winning by principles is more important than merely winning.

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