Ron Williams

Sport: Cycling
Residence: Birmingham, Alabama

When Ron Williams was 15 years old, he was an avid soccer player and a member of the U.S. Jr. National Soccer team. His dream of playing in the World Cup for the U.S. was shattered when, upon investigation of a sore left shin, he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a malignant tumor of the bone. Ron beat cancer, but lost his left leg below the knee. Since then his life has been anything but ordinary.

After his recovery, Ron channeled his athletic abilities into water skiing. He took part in several disabled water skiing competitions and accepted a scholarship to water ski for Georgia College, competing in many national and international events. By the time of his graduation, Ron had captured two world records in water skiing: the World Disabled Slalom and the World Disabled Jumping records. He still holds both of these records today.

It was not until after college that Ron took up cycling. Competing in both able-bodied and disabled races on the local, state, and national level, Ron was soon named to the U.S. Paralympic Cycling team. The team competed in the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. Ron also competed in the 2003 European Championships in the Czech Republic, the 2003 Pan America Cup in New York City and the 2004 World Qualifying Cup in Dallas. At the 2004 Summer Paralympic Games in Athens, Ron won two medals; a bronze in the Men’s Individual Road Race and silver in the Men’s Team Sprint.

In 2007 Ron finished 4th, 5th, and 7th at the IPC Cycling World Championships in Bordeaux, France. At the 2007 US Paralympics Road Cycling National Championships in Denver, CO, Ron won the silver in the Road Race and the bronze in the Time Trial. Now Ron trains for the 2008 Beijing Paralymipc Games.

A top sales representative with Southwire Corporation, Ron’s success in the work place and in elite sport exemplifies The Hartford’s message that by focusing on an individual’s abilities instead of perceived physical limitations, the sky’s the limit.