Bernard Williams (sprinter) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bernard Williams

Williams during Keien Meeting 2007
Personal information
Full name	Bernard Rollen Williams III
Born	(1978-01-19) January 19, 1978 (age 47) Baltimore, Maryland
Residence	Gainesville, Florida
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	178 lb (81 kg)
Sport
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	100 meters, 200 meters
College team	University of Florida
Coached by	Mike Holloway
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	100m: 9.94 (2001) 200m: 20.01 (2004)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2000 Sydney 4×100 m relay Silver 2004 Athens 200 m World Championships Gold 2003 Paris 4×100 m relay Silver 2001 Edmonton 100 m Pan American Games Gold 1999 Winnipeg 100 m

Bernard Rollen Williams III, born on January 19, 1978, is a former American track and field athlete. He was a very fast sprinter. Bernard won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in the 4 × 100-meter relay race.

He also earned a silver medal in the 200-meter dash at the 2004 Summer Olympics. At the 2001 World Championships in Athletics, he won a silver medal in the 100-meter dash. Bernard also helped his team win relay gold at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics. He was the 100-meter gold medalist at the 1999 Pan American Games.

Bernard is known for running the 100-meter race in under 10 seconds. His fastest time for the 100-meter dash is 9.94 seconds. In 2003, he was the fastest man in the 200-meter race with a time of 20.01 seconds. He won the American national title in the 100-meter race in 2001 and 2003. He ran for the Florida Gators in college. There, he became the NCAA Outdoor champion in the 100-meter and 4 × 100-meter relay in 2000.

Bernard Williams' Athletic Journey

Early Life and College Years

Bernard Williams was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He showed great talent early on. In 1999, he won the 100 meters at the 1999 Pan American Games.

Bernard received a sports scholarship to attend the University of Florida. He joined the Florida Gators track and field team in Gainesville, Florida. He worked hard both in sports and in his studies. In 2008, he earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the university.

Olympic and World Championship Highlights

In 2000, Bernard won two major titles for the Florida Gators. He became the NCAA champion in the 100 meters. He also won the 4 × 100-meter relay. Later that year, he competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He ran the second part of the American 4 × 100-meter relay team. This team won the gold medal!

Memorable Moments and Personality

Bernard was known for his fun personality. He even got the nickname "Hollywood." During the 2000 Olympics, he made people laugh with his funny actions. He would use "the people's eyebrow," a pose made famous by wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Bernard was also known for his exciting poses before races. He loved to entertain the crowd. This playful style became more common in sprinting, especially after Olympic champion Usain Bolt showed his own celebrations.

Major Wins and Medals

At the 2001 World Championships in Athletics, Bernard first finished third in the 100 meters. However, he was later awarded the silver medal. This happened because of a rule violation by another athlete. Bernard also ran in the 4 × 100-meter relay team. This team won the gold medal. However, their gold medals were later withdrawn due to a rule violation by another team member. Still, Bernard was recognized as the 100-meter national champion because of this change.

In 2003, Bernard won the US National Championships in the 100 meters. He also finished fifth in the 100 meters at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics. He was also part of the American relay team that won a gold medal.

At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Bernard won a silver medal in the 200 meters. He ran a strong race, just ahead of fellow American and 100-meter champion Justin Gatlin. Another American, Shawn Crawford, won the gold medal. The audience at this event was not happy due to a controversy involving another athlete.

Bernard Today

Today, Bernard works as a Sports Performance Coach. He helps other athletes improve their skills. He coaches in the Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia areas.

Bernard Williams' Best Times

These are Bernard Williams' fastest times in different races:

Bernard Williams' International Medals

Here is a list of the medals Bernard Williams won in international competitions:

National Championships Won

Bernard Williams won these national titles:

• USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
  • 100 m: 2001, 2003
• NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships
  • 100 m: 2000
  • 4 × 100 m relay: 2000

See Also

In Spanish: Bernard Williams (atleta) para niños

• List of Olympic medalists in athletics (men)
• List of men's Olympic and World Championship athletics sprint champions
• List of medal sweeps in Olympic athletics
• List of Pan American Games medalists in athletics (men)
• List of 2000 Summer Olympics medal winners
• List of 2004 Summer Olympics medal winners
• 200 metres at the Olympics
• 4 × 100 metres relay at the Olympics
• 100 metres at the World Championships in Athletics
• 4 × 100 metres relay at the World Championships in Athletics
• List of 100 metres national champions (men)
• List of University of Florida alumni
• List of University of Florida Olympians
• List of athletes from Maryland N – Z
• List of people from Gainesville, Florida
• List of people with surname Williams