First British Olympic skeleton champion inducted into University of Bath Hall of Fame

By Nick Butler

Vancouver 2010 Olympic skeleton champion Amy Williams has become the first female athlete to be inducted into the University of Bath's new Hall of Fame for Sport.

After being born in Cambridge, Williams grew up in Bath and, after starting out as a 400 metres sprinter, converted to skeleton in 2002 after enjoying a session at the push-start track at the University.

This kick-started a career which would last for the next 11 years, highlighted by a silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in Lake Placid ahead of her Olympic success the following year, where she became the first British woman to win an individual Winter Olympics gold medal for 58 years, since figure skater Jeannette Altwegg at Oslo 1952.

She also became the first British winner of the women's skeleton title, although earlier this year in Sochi, Lizzie Yarnold followed her example with a second successive British victory.

Throughout her career, Williams remained strongly associated with both the city and the University in Bath, and this has continued since her retirement in 2012 and subsequent work as a television personality.

Amy Williams being inducted into the Hall of Fame by deputy vice-chancellor Kevin Edge ©davidroperphotography

"When we first talked about creating a Hall of Fame for Sport at the University of Bath, the name Amy Williams was at the top of many people's lists," said deputy vice-chancellor Kevin Edge, following the induction ceremony this morning.

"We like to think of her as 'our Amy', but she is truly an inspiration to us all at the University, to the people of Bath, and to many, many more."

Williams becomes the third athlete to enter the Hall of Fame, following Athens 2004 4x100m relay champion Jason Gardener and the two-time Paralympic-medal winning T36 sprinter Ben Rushgrove, who became the first two inductees two weeks ago.

The Hall of Fame has been introduced to "recognise the athletes and coaches who have excelled in their sport and made a significant contribution to the sporting environment at the University".

It will be located in the foyer of the Sports Training Village, a sports facility that has been a training base for some of Britain's top athletes over the last two decades.

"I'm honoured and proud to be inducted to the Hall of Fame," reflected Williams.

"The University of Bath has played an important role in my sporting life and I feel privileged to be recognised in this way."

Among other prominent athletes to have been based at the University include two London 2012 silver medal winners, 200m breaststroke swimmer Michael Jamieson and modern pentathlete Samantha Murray, as well as Yarnold and other members of the skeleton team.