Paralympic Cyclist Goes for the Gold

One of Team USA’s Paralympic athletes spent his middle school years just fighting to survive. Now he’s set to attend his third Paralympic Games and add to his medal collection.

34 year old Ron Williams already has a silver and a bronze medal from the Athens Games in 2004, but just like in the other aspects of his life, Williams isn’t done achieving. Coming into Beijing, this former captain of the US Paralympic Cycling Team feels stronger than ever.

He’s been training for, dreaming of, and waiting on this moment for 12 years. Williams goes into the Beijing games ranked third in the world, with his eye on gold.

“It’s a good position to be in because I know I can get better. A lot of times it’s hard to stay on top of your game when you’re the best. So I like the under-dog role that I’m in” says Williams.

Williams started cycling three years after losing his leg to bone cancer. Doctors amputated the lower half of Williams’ left leg when he was just 15.

“If you would have come to me the day I had the amputation and told me this is what I’d be doing, I would have looked at you and told you you were absolutely crazy,“ says Williams.

Williams now works full time as a sales rep,  trains 30 hours a week and travels the country as an inspirational speaker. Cycling has become an integral part of his life.
“There has been no less than 4 or 5 days when I’ve ever been without my bike, no matter where I was was in the country or the world,“ says Williams.

Williams’ hopes this experience will help give him an edge in Beijing. When the race ends, Williams plans to be standing in the middle of the medal stand, at the top.

But Williams knows he’s already conquered life’s most important challenges. 

  “Live each day to the fullest because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I had cancer, you might be in an auto accident. You never know tomorrow’s going to bring so enjoy today,“ advises Williams.

Williams has obviously had tremendous success as a disabled athlete, but he also enjoys competing in able-bodied cycling races. When he’s not on his bike, Williams often shares his story with business groups, schools and especially to patients who are battling cancer right now.