Percy Williams’ Olympic medals replaced after 1980 BC Sports Hall of Fame theft

In 1980, two gold Olympic medals belonging to Canadian sprinter Percy Williams were stolen from the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Now, more than four decades later, they’ve been replaced.

The medals, won by Williams in 1928 at the Olympics in Amsterdam, were replaced Friday after the International Olympic Committee recreated the hardware.

One of two recreated Percy Williams Olympic gold medals to replace the ones stolen at the BC Sports Hall of Fame. (CityNews Image)

The occasion was marked in Vancouver with a gathering to honour the late athlete.

“He suffered from rheumatic fever, which apparently weakened his heart, and doctors told him to take it easy. He didn’t. By the time he was in school, his explosive natural speed was obvious to everybody. He was only 5’6″ in height and he weighed a wispy 125 pounds. So quite, quite a small man,” explained Jason Beck, curator and facility director, BC Sports Hall of Fame.

“It’s a name I really believe all Canadians should immediately recognize. I truly believe that Percy is Canada’s most underappreciated Canadian Olympic athlete of all time.”

In attendance were many members of Williams’ family.

“I was just eight years old when Percy won double gold for Canada in 1928,” said Della Ridel, the Olympian’s cousin-in-law. “I am just thrilled that the Olympic committee can replace Percy’s medals and restore his contribution to Canadian history.”

Vancouver newspapers shared news of the high-profile theft on Jan. 15, 1980, with headlines like “Thieves strike gold at sports hall.”

While the medals were valuable then, they’re worth even more now. One outlet noted that in 1980, the price of gold was over $600 USD for an ounce. Now, that’s worth almost $1,800.

Though the medals were never recovered and the case remains open, the replacements have brought back fond memories.

“He was 20 years old, probably 19, when he was selected to go to Amsterdam and then surprise the world and all of Canada by coming home with two gold medals,” explained Doug Clement, Achilles International Track and Field Society president.

Tracey Mead, a member of Williams’ extended family, recalls the “hero’s welcome” the sprinter received upon his return.

“How they showered him with gifts and they threw him a parade through the city of Vancouver,” Mead recalled, adding Percy donated his medals to the BC Sports Hall of Fame, just weeks before they were stolen.

A photo of Canadian sprinter and Olympian Percy Williams stands at the BC Sports Hall of Fame in Vancouver. (CityNews Image)

“The knowledge of the theft was somewhat of a little black cloud at the end of this amazing story that dampened your spirits, that had been uplifted by learning of his accomplishments,” added Brian Mead, another family member. “We felt that we were compelled to do something. At that point, I contacted the Olympic Committee and they graciously made today a reality.”

In addition to being a Canadian icon, Beck says Williams may have played a major role in the nation’s flag.

“Here’s a direct quote from George Stanley: ‘I was so impressed with the picture, a picture of Percy Williams winning a gold medal in the 1928 Olympics, that it always stayed in my mind and inspired me when I was designing the flag. As Williams pressed the tape, you could see the large maple leaf on his jersey, and there was no doubt everyone knew he was from Canada,'” Beck said.

You can see the replacement gold medals at the BC Hall of Fame next to the Percy Williams statue.