Willie Francis

Who was Willie Francis?

William "Willie" Francis was a Scottish backstroke swimmer who competed for Great Britain in the 1928 Summer Olympics and in the 1932 Summer Olympics.

He was born in Dunfermline.

In 1928 he was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 100 metre backstroke event.

Four years later in Los Angeles he was eliminated in the first round of the Olympic 100 metre backstroke competition.

At the 1930 Empire Games he won the silver medal in the 100 yards backstroke contest. Four years later at the Empire Games in Sydney he won the gold medal in the 100 yards backstroke event. He was also part of the Scottish team which won the silver medal in the 3×110 yards medley competition. He also participated in the 1938 Empire Games but was unplaced in the 110 yards backstroke contest.