Winners: Bill Crothers, Athletics
Bill Crothers crossing the finish line of a race.
Date: 1963
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
1964 - Feature Story
They say you can tell a lot about a man by the company he keeps. Bill Crothers was in the very best of company when he lined up for the final of the men’s 800m at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. In the group was venerable Peter Snell, the defending Olympic Champion and world record holder. Yet other rivals were also looking at Crothers and conveying respect. The 23-year-old pharmacist from Markham, Ontario, had been ranked number one in the world for 1963, yet in the days prior to Tokyo, he was no longer ranked among the world’s top 10 at 800m. But Crothers was quietly confident, having advanced to the final by winning both his heat and semi-final. In the final, with 200m to go, Snell surged ahead of the pack to win the Gold medal while Crothers rallied to take second place. His Silver medal was just one of four medals won by Canada at the 1964 Games. His 1:45.6 was the third-fastest time in history and remained a Canadian record for 29 years.
Career Highlights
- 1966 Silver medal in 800m and 4x440 yard relay events at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica
- 1964 Silver medal in the 800m event at the Olympic Games in Tokyo
- 1964 Lionel Conacher Award (Canada’s male athlete of the year)
- 1963 Lou Marsh Memorial Award
- 1961-1967 National Senior Champion in 880-yard event
Bill Crothers receiving a trophy from Harold Ballard.
Date: 1963
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Portrait of Bill Crothers.
Date: 1964-1965
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Bill Crothers crouched on the floor with his shoes in mid air.
Date: 1965
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Bill Crothers receiving the baton during a relay race.
Date: 1967
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Bill Crothers standing on a track with his hands on his hips.
Date: 1967
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Bill Crothers just about to cross the finish line of a race.
Date: 1967
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Bill Crothers posing in front of his trophies and awards.
Date: 1981
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
