British Olympian James Williams, a former Team GB fencer who competed at three Olympic Games, has tragically passed away at the age of 57 after a short illness. Known for his dedication and service to Britain, Williams spent ten years in the Army before transitioning to a career in public health.
During his career, Williams was a board member, Olympic team manager, and Sabre coach at British Fencing. He represented Great Britain at the Olympics in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000) with his best result at the 1998 Commonwealth Fencing Federation Games in Kuala Lumpur, where he was part of the gold-winning England team.
Not only was Williams an accomplished athlete, but he also served as an official commentator and presenter at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Later in his career, he took on the role of Director of Public Health for Medway Council in Kent.
In a tribute to Williams, the Medway Council praised his work during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting his contribution to keeping the people of Medway safe and saving lives. Colleagues remembered him as an Olympian in every sense for his dedication to building resilience in communities and promoting early interventions for better health outcomes.
Originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Williams learned to fence during his time in the British Army and was known for championing the underdog. He believed in providing equal opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to reach their full potential.
