Williams, Lynn (1960-)

Lynn Williams.

Bryan Schlosser (Regina Leader-Post)

Lynn Williams (née Kanuka) was a dominant track and field athlete in the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Regina on July 11, 1960, she placed in the top three of every middle distance track event and cross-country distance event she entered between 1973 and 1981. Williams studied and trained at the University of Saskatchewan and San Diego State University before relocating to British Columbia in 1982. She established eleven Canadian running records between 1983 and 1989.

Williams won the bronze medal in the 3,000-metre event at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She finished fifth in the 1,500 metres and eighth in the 3,000 metres at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Her other international wins include bronze in the 3,000-metre event at the 1983 World Student Games, gold in the 3,000 metres and bronze in the 1,500 metres at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, and bronze at the 1989 World Cross Country Championships.

Lynn Williams was awarded the Dr. Phil Edwards Trophy as Canada’s top track athlete in 1988 and 1989. She was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. Williams is an advocate for stay-in-school, anti-drug, and physical fitness campaigns across Canada and has served as a track and field analyst for television networks.

Bob Ivanochko, Holden Stoffel