The story of Harry Williamson, UNC’s first ever Olympian
Posted Aug 5, 2018
Before Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm or any other Tar Heel made it to the Olympics, Harry Williamson was the first. Williamson was a star in track and field at UNC, having won multiple conference championships. He took part in the 800 meters at the 1936 Olympics. No other Tar Heel would make an Olympic team until fellow track and field athletes Bill Albans and Floyd “Chunk” Simmons in 1948.
(Tar Heel Blog)
Related: Track & Field
Newsletter: Hubert Davis Out?, UNC Women's Basketball to Sweet 16, Caleb Wilson to the RaftersHas Hubert Davis coached his final game at North Carolina? We’ll likely find out very soon. UNC Women’s Basketball advanced to the Sweet 16, Caleb...
Mon Mar 23, 2026Newsletter: March Madness Begins, UNC Baseball Sweeps Cal, Veesaar's Career Night, NFL Moves
March Madness is upon us, UNC Baseball sweeps Cal, three Tar Heels are named All-ACC in Men’s Basketball, and there are six new UNC Track...
Mon Mar 16, 2026
UNC Track Wraps Up Indoor Nationals With Three Top-10 Finishes
Makayla Paige (2:02.64) claimed a seventh-place finish in the women's 800m to earn First Team All-America honors. Vera Sjöberg (8:48.70) earned her own First Team...
Sun Mar 15, 2026
UNC Track Brings Home Two All-America Honors, Makayla Paige Qualifies For 800m Final
UNC's Colton Sands finished fifth in the men's 5000m to earn First Team All-America honors on the first day of the 2026 Indoor Track and...
Sat Mar 14, 2026