Sprinter Percy Williams wins gold at the Olympics
Percy Williams. Library and Archives Canada, PA-150983
1928
Percy Albert Williams suffered from rheumatic fever in his childhood and was considered an unlikely athlete. But on leaving high school he began running and, at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, he became the first non-American sprinter to win two gold medals, for the 100 metre dash and the 200 metre dash. In 1930, Williams set the world record in the 100 metre dash at the Canadian championships. His Olympic win is considered one of the most brilliant made by a Canadian in international track and field.
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