Freddie Williams - Olympic® Track & Field
Three-time Olympian Freddie Williams understands the perseverance one needs to “go the distance” in life. He learned the meaning of the word while growing up in apartheid-dominated South Africa, where he often witnessed the demoralizing brutality of racial persecution. But rather than see himself as a victim, Freddie took action. He channeled his energy into running, and he soon made a name for himself, remaining undefeated during every 800-meter and 1,500-meter high school competition.
After he was expelled from college just for practice-running with some white athletes, Freddie immigrated to the U.S., where his skills as a runner earned him NCAA All-American recognition 17 times. He later moved to Canada, where he served as captain of the Canadian track team at the 1992 Olympics. Freddie is a five-time Canadian 800-meter champion, and he held the nation’s record for that event for 10 years.
Although he no longer runs competitively, the accolades for his accomplishments continue. Freddie was recently named to the All-Time Century Team at his alma mater, Abilene Christian University; only 16 former ACU track and field athletes were selected to the team. In 2007, he was one of only 75 athletes named to the All Lonestar Conference team.
Freddie devotes much of his time these days to helping young people learn that they can take control of their own health and win the often-daunting run for the distance called “life.” For more than a decade, he and his wife have volunteered to assist in the Special Olympics.
“Living life successfully means focusing on today,” Freddie says. “Yesterday is history. And tomorrow is not a promise. God gives us the moment, and we need to do everything to take advantage of the gift.”
Freddie continues to go the distance-800 meters at a time.
Posted on Monday, July 21st, 2008
