Archie Williams

Who was Archie Williams?

Archie Franklin Williams was an African-American athlete and teacher, winner of 400 meter run at the 1936 Summer Olympics. As recorded on his birth certificate, his name is Archie and not Archibald.

Born in Oakland, California, Archie Williams had one great year but he did more in that one year than many athletes achieve in a lifetime.

Williams attended University High School in Oakland, then San Mateo Junior College. His coach, Dr. Oliver Byrd, was instrumental in preparing him for future achievements. Soon Williams transferred to the University of California, Berkeley to become a mechanical engineer and he continued to run track.

Until 1936, Williams had never broken 49 seconds for the 440 yd. During 1936, however, Williams kept lowering his times and reached his peak at the NCAA championships, setting a world record in 400 m of 46.1. His time was set in the preliminaries and he also prevailed in the final for a 47.0 victory. He followed that up with a first in the Olympic Trials, then went to Berlin and won the Olympic gold medal in the 400 m. When asked about the infamous incident in which Adolf Hitler reportedly refused to shake the hand of black fellow gold medalist Jesse Owens, Williams replied, “Hitler wouldn't shake my hand either.”