There is a very small chance of a person winning an Olympic medal. The chance of surviving a nautical disaster is also not great. The American Richard Norris Williams managed to combine the two achievements. The tennis player survived the sinking of the Titanic and won gold in Paris 1924.
Richard Norris Williams II was born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1891, the son of American parents. His father, Charles Duane Williams, founded the United States Tennis Federation.
“Dick” Williams started playing tennis at age 12 under the influence of 12 years old. In 1911 he won the Swiss championship and, a year later, he began studying at Harvard in the United States and playing university sports.
The disaster on the Titanic
The ship Titanic left Southampton, southern England, heading for New York, in the United States, on April 10, 1912. The vessel collided with a iceberg on April 14 and sank early the following morning.
Richard and his father were in first class on the vessel. He managed to save himself after jumping from the ship and finding a boat. Charles Williams was hit by one of the Titanic’s smokestacks and died instantly.
Tennis career and Olympic medal
Williams continued his career as a professional tennis player. In 1913 he was defeated in the final of Wimbledon and the US Open.
The American was champion of the Grand Slam held in the United States in 1914 and 1916. In the singles tournament, he reached the quarterfinals in Paris 1924.
The medal at the Olympic Games was in the mixed doubles category. Alongside Mary Browne, he achieved the highest place on the podium in the French capital. The American played with an ankle injury.
Richard finished his career with 205 wins and 75 losses. There were 26 singles titles. The tennis player was immortalized in the Hall of Fame in 1957.
The tennis player played professionally at the age of 44. Richard died on June 2, 1968, in Philadelphia, United States.
Itatiaia Coverage
The Paris Olympics will be held between July 26th and August 11th. A Itatiaia will be present in France with a team of specialized reporters, commentators and narrators to bring listeners, readers and their digital followers the emotion of each medal won by Brazil and the major disputes.
