Delano Williams (born 23 December 1993) is a British sprinter, originally from the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. In June 2013, it was confirmed that Williams would henceforth compete for Great Britain, as was his right by dint of the right to British citizenship of Turks and Caicos Islanders.[1] Williams trains with the Racers Track Club in Jamaica.[2]

Delano Williams
Delano Williams in 2016
Personal information
Nationality Great Britain
Born (1993-12-23) 23 December 1993 (age 30)
Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands
Sport
SportRunning
Event(s)100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)100 m: 10.28 (Kingston 2013)
200 m: 20.27 (Kingston 2013)
400 m: 45.42 (Kingston 2015)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Great Britain
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Beijing 4×400 m relay
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Amsterdam 4 x 400 m relay
Representing the  Turks and Caicos Islands
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 Barcelona 200 m
CARIFTA Games (Junior)
Gold medal – first place 2012 Hamilton 200 m
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Hamilton 4×100 m relay
Gold medal – first place 2011 Montego Bay 200 m
CARIFTA Games (Youth)
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Vieux Fort 200 m

Career

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He attended Munro College in St Elizabeth, Jamaica.[3] He joined the college after a Jamaican talent scout spotted his speed in a baseball game in his native Turks and Caicos.[4]

Williams aimed to compete for Great Britain in the 200 metres at the 2012 Summer Olympics.[5] He cannot represent his native Turks and Caicos Islands, because they are not recognised by the International Olympic Committee, however, using a similar by-law to Anguillan long jumper Shara Proctor, Williams is eligible to represent Great Britain as Turks and Caicos are a British Overseas Territory. He finished fifth at the UK Olympics Trials, so was not selected.[6] He competed for Great Britain in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

Born and raised on Grand Turk Island to a Haitian mother, Williams moved to Jamaica in 2008. Running for Munro College, he won the 100 and 200 metres at the 2012 Jamaican National High School Track and Field Championships, becoming the first non-national to do so.[7]

He did, however, represent Turks and Caicos at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics in Barcelona, Spain. He won a gold medal in the 200 metres.

References

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  1. ^ "Delano Williams set to compete for Great Britain at World Athletics Championships in Moscow". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Delano Williams: The Brit learning at the feet of Usain Bolt". 24 April 2014.
  3. ^ Gonzalez, Jermaine (5 April 2012). "Pressure produces stars such as Delano Williams". Guardian.
  4. ^ Powell, Michael (6 April 2015). "Track's Heartbeat is Fast as Ever in Jamaica". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Hart, Simon (3 April 2012). "Turks and Caicos sprint sensation Delano Williams becomes latest Team GB recruit". Telegraph.
  6. ^ "UKA - 200 METRES - Men - Final". UK Athletics. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  7. ^ "TCI track star Delano Williams creates history in Jamaica". Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
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