Percy Williams Statue
Percy Williams Statue
Percy Williams (1908 – 1982)
Percy Williams blasted down the track in Amsterdam at the 1928 Olympic Games to win gold in the 100 and 200 metre sprints. His unexpected Olympic victories catapulted the twenty year old, and his hometown of Vancouver, into the international spotlight. In August 1930, Williams set a world record in Toronto when he ran the 100 metres in 10.3 seconds. Later that month, he captured gold in the 100 yard sprint at the first British Empire Games. During the race he suffered a serious leg injury from which he never fully recovered. Williams competed at the 1932 Olympics but could not regain the same blistering speed. He made the decision to retire from competition after the games.
The statue has been erected to celebrate the accomplishments of Percy Williams by the British Columbia Amateur Sports Council whose members are:
Norman G. Gloag, President
Frank C. Bain
Jack D. Edmondson
Mervin E. Ferguson
Richard L. Black
William B. McNulty
Peter A. Manson
David Matthews
Robert P. Osborne
Frederick N.A. Rowell
Adrian C. Stone
Harold M. Wright
Sculptors: Ann McLaren and Doug Taylor
Project Coordinator: Jack Farley
Special acknowledgment to:
B.C. Place Stadium
British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum
Harman Sculpture Foundry Ltd.
Quadra Stone Company Ltd.
Robertson Kolbeins Trevan & Gallaher Associates Ltd.
Dedicated October 11, 1995
Percy later became an insurance agent and lived with his mother until she died in 1977. In 1982, he committed suicide by shooting himself with a gun he had been given as a prize for his Olympic achievement.
More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Williams_(sprinter)
Submitted by: Jennie Eggleston (www.instagram.com/jeggle)