{{Short description|British skeleton racer and TV presenter}} {{other people}} {{good article}} {{Use British English|date=August 2011}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}} {{infobox sportsperson | name = Amy Williams<br /><small>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|commas=on|MBE}}</small> | image = Amy Williams.jpg | imagesize = <!--Only for images narrower than 220 pixels--> | caption = Williams receiving her gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver | birth_name = Amy Joy Williams | fullname = | nickname = Curly Wurly<ref name=wurly>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Paul |title=Olympic dream comes true for Amy and Arthur |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/21/amy-williams-celebrates-skeleton-gold |access-date=10 December 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528224646/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/21/amy-williams-celebrates-skeleton-gold |archive-date=28 May 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|09|29|df=yes}} | birth_place = Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England | spouse = | height = 173 cm<ref>{{cite web |title=Amy Williams |url=https://www.teamgb.com/athlete/amy-williams/5TsL2L6bQAnVShahgr3YIz |publisher=Team GB |access-date=14 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815002053/https://www.teamgb.com/athlete/amy-williams/5TsL2L6bQAnVShahgr3YIz |archive-date=15 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> | weight = 60 kg | website = https://www.amywilliams.com/ | country = | sport =Skeleton | event = | collegeteam = | club = | team = | turnedpro = | coach = Michael Grünberger<ref name=ibsf>{{cite web |title=Amy Williams |url=https://www.ibsf.org/en/athlete/100589 |publisher=International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation |access-date=10 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210144636/https://www.ibsf.org/en/athlete/100589 |archive-date=10 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> | retired = | coaching = | worlds = | regionals = | nationals = | olympics = | paralympics = | highestranking = | pb = | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Women's skeleton}} {{MedalCountry | }} {{MedalOlympic}} center|80px {{MedalGold|2010 Vancouver|Women}} {{MedalCompetition | World Championships }} {{MedalSilver|2009 Lake Placid|Women}} {{MedalCompetition|European Championships}} {{MedalBronze|2011 Winterberg| Women}} {{MedalCompetition | Winter Universiade }} {{MedalSilver|2005 Innsbruck|Women}} | show-medals = yes }}
'''Amy Joy Williams''' (born 29 September 1982) is a British former skeleton racer who won a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics. After retiring from the sport in 2012, she has worked as a television presenter on ''The Gadget Show'' and ''Ski Sunday''.
Williams took up skeleton in 2002 after trying the sport on a push-start track at the University of Bath. She won a silver medal at the 2009 World Championships, and represented Great Britain at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She won the gold medal, becoming the first British individual gold medallist at a Winter Olympics for 30 years and the only British medallist at that year's Games.
==Early life and education== Amy Joy Williams was born on 29 September 1982 in Cambridge,<ref name=olym>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/119490 |title=Amy Williams |website=Olympedia.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=10 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004145801/https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/119490 |archive-date=4 October 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> and was brought up in Bath. She was educated at Bathwick St Mary, Hayesfield Girls' School and the University of Bath.<ref name=bathchron>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/sport/Sensational-start-puts-Williams-sight-Olympic-gold/article-1849853-detail/article.html|title=Amy Williams wins historic gold medal at Winter Olympics |date=20 February 2010 |newspaper=Bath Chronicle |issn=1356-0069 |publisher=Trinity Mirror |access-date=21 February 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100328053317/http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/sport/Sensational-start-puts-Williams-sight-Olympic-gold/article-1849853-detail/article.html|archive-date=28 March 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=tass>{{cite web |title=Olympic champion Amy Williams on life before and after Vancouver |url=https://www.tass.gov.uk/2018/02/14/olympic-champion-amy-williams/ |website=Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme |publisher=Sport England |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516093211/https://www.tass.gov.uk/2018/02/14/olympic-champion-amy-williams/ |archive-date=16 May 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her father was a professor of chemistry at the University of Bath and her mother is a former midwife.<ref name=wurly/> Williams grew up in a house with no television or computer and was drawn to sports because they offered her the opportunity to go outside and try new things.<ref name=shin/>
==Career== Williams initially competed in athletics as a 400 m runner but developed shin splints and was unable to qualify for the national team.<ref name=shin>{{cite news |title=Sochi 2014: Amy Williams on her sporting life |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/25705722 |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=28 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260417085947/https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-olympics/25705722 |archive-date=17 April 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBCbio">{{cite web|url=http://winterolympics.external.bbc.co.uk/athletes/athlete=32692429/index.html |title=Amy Williams Biography |work=BBC Sport |access-date=20 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216173451/http://winterolympics.external.bbc.co.uk/athletes/athlete%3D32692429/index.html |archive-date=16 February 2010 }}</ref> In 2002, the University of Bath opened a 140 metres long push-start track, the only one of its type in the UK. The facility is ice-free<ref>{{cite web |title=Bobsleigh |url=https://www.teambath.com/sport/bobsleigh/ |website=Team Bath |publisher=University of Bath |access-date=16 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212081616/https://www.teambath.com/sport/bobsleigh/ |archive-date=12 February 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> and was created to mimic the start of a real skeleton race as well as identifying athletes with potential.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobsleigh comes to Bath |last=Gubbay |first=Alex |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1690163.stm |access-date=16 December 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 December 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260417095617/https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/1690163.stm |archive-date=17 April 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> Williams trained in athletics at the university, and one day in 2002, decided to take part with the other skeleton athletes in their training session. The skeleton athletes were shortly to attend the World Push Championships in Groningen, and Williams travelled with them to compete as a guest. There, a coach advised her to try the sport on ice. She then travelled to an Army ice camp in Norway.<ref name=tass/><ref name=shin/>
Williams had been studying for a degree in coach education and sports development, but after a year, she left her studies, moved back in with her parents and took a full-time job to help fund her skeleton aspirations. Reflecting back on this stage of her life in a 2010 interview, she discussed how she had made "great sacrifices" and had done everything she could to be successful. She said that she hadn't seen her friends enough and had probably been "a bit of a bore", adding: "Every decision I made was: 'Is this going to help me go to the Olympics or not?"<ref name=wurly/><ref name=tass/>
In 2005, Williams finished runner-up at both the World Student Games and the World Junior Championships.<ref name=golden>{{cite news |title=Bath's 'Golden Girl' Amy Williams to receive honorary degree from University of Bath |url=https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/education/baths-golden-girl-amy-williams-receive-honorary-degree-university-bath-73678/ |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=Bath Echo |date=20 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250523215358/https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/education/baths-golden-girl-amy-williams-receive-honorary-degree-university-bath-73678/ |archive-date=23 May 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=On this day in 2010: Amy Williams wins skeleton gold for Great Britain |url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/uksport/2022/02/20/on-this-day-in-2010-amy-williams-wins-skeleton-gold-for-great-britain/ |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=Jersey Evening Post |date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220060843/https://jerseyeveningpost.com/uksport/2022/02/20/on-this-day-in-2010-amy-williams-wins-skeleton-gold-for-great-britain/ |archive-date=20 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> She was unable to qualify for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, as Great Britain were only allowed to enter a single skeleton athlete in that year's competition, a spot won by Shelley Rudman. Williams travelled to the Games as a reserve.<ref name="BBCbio"/><ref name=sli/> She finished seventh at the 2007 World Championships in St. Moritz, and in the 2007-08 World Cup series, she claimed bronze medals at the meetings in Calgary and Park City.<ref name=tele>{{cite news |title=Amy Williams profile |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/winter-olympics/7277548/Winter-Olympics-2010-Amy-Williams-profile.html |access-date=10 December 2025 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Media Group |location=London |issn=0307-1235 |date=20 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223222407/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/winter-olympics/7277548/Winter-Olympics-2010-Amy-Williams-profile.html |archive-date=23 February 2010 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> At the 2008 World Championships, Williams recorded a fifth-place finish in Altenberg,<ref>{{cite web |title=Briton wins silver medal in Skeleton World Championships |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/6125/briton-wins-silver-medal-in-skeleton-world-championships |website=Inside The Games |access-date=10 December 2025 |date=1 September 2009}}</ref> and won a silver medal at the 2008-09 World Cup meeting in Whistler.<ref name=tele/>
Williams also won a silver medal at the 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid, after finishing behind Marion Trott. Williams was fourth after her penultimate run and recorded the fastest final run to finish second overall. She said that the effects of a virus in the build-up to the competition had initially left her feeling "deflated" but had ultimately helped her feel "less tense".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/7915604.stm |title=Williams secures skeleton silver |work=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=20 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119074305/https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/7915604.stm |archive-date=19 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Départ de skeleton Amy Williams.jpg|thumb|left|Williams in action at the 2010 Winter Olympics where she went on to win the gold medal]] For the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Great Britain were allocated three potential qualifying spots.<ref name="BBCbio"/> At the Games, Williams won the gold medal in the women's skeleton. She broke the track record twice during the competition and won the event by a margin of 0.56 seconds.<ref name=sli>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/vancouver_2010/skeleton/8520464.stm |title=British slider Amy Williams wins Olympic skeleton gold |department=Vancouver 2010 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122041850/https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/vancouver_2010/skeleton/8520464.stm |archive-date=22 November 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of the first day, during which Williams established a 0.3s advantage over the second-placed slider, the United States submitted a protest over the aerodynamics of Williams's helmet design.<ref>{{cite news |last=Staniforth |first=Mark |title=Briton Williams helmet protest rejected |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/briton-williams-helmet-protest-rejected-1904501.html |access-date=17 December 2025 |newspaper=The Independent |issn=1741-9743 |date=19 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217065437/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/briton-williams-helmet-protest-rejected-1904501.html |archive-date=17 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=yah/> Canada subsequently filed the same complaint later in the competition. The protests argued that the helmet's spoilers were illegal and gave her an unfair aerodynamic advantage. The manufacturer claimed that they were integral to the helmet's design. Both protests were rejected by the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomson |first=Candus |title=Amy Williams ends Britain's 30-year gold drought with victory in women's skeleton |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-20-la-sp-olympics-skeleton20-2010feb20-story.html |access-date=17 December 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |issn=2165-1736 |date=20 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219073236/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-20-la-sp-olympics-skeleton20-2010feb20-story.html |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=yah>{{cite news|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/20022010/2/canada-appeal-winner-helmet.html |title=Canada appeal over winner's helmet |agency=Reuters |publisher=Yahoo! Eurosport |date=20 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223084737/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/20022010/2/canada-appeal-winner-helmet.html |archive-date=23 February 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Milliken |first=Mary |title=Brit gold at last but hosts try to spoil party |url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/brit-gold-at-last-but-hosts-try-to-spoil-party.295137 |access-date=17 December 2025 |work=Times of Malta |date=21 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217040811/https://timesofmalta.com/article/brit-gold-at-last-but-hosts-try-to-spoil-party.295137 |archive-date=17 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Victory gave Great Britain their ninth ever gold medal at a Winter Olympics and first since 2002.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clatworthy |first=Ben |url=http://www.planetski.eu/news/1365 |title=Britain gets a gold |publisher=PlanetSKI |date=20 February 2010 |access-date=20 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303061932/http://www.planetski.eu/news/1365 |archive-date=3 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to her victory, she had never won a World Cup or World Championship race,<ref>{{cite web |title=Williams wins women's skeleton gold medal |url=https://www.ibsf.org/en/news/detail/williams-wins-women-039-s-skeleton-gold-medal |publisher=International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation |access-date=9 December 2025 |date=20 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219042025/https://www.ibsf.org/en/news/detail/williams-wins-women-039-s-skeleton-gold-medal |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> and Williams stated: "Never in a million years did I think I'd come here and win gold."<ref name=bathchron/>
Williams became the first British competitor to win a gold medal in an individual event at the Winter Olympics for 30 years, following Robin Cousins's victory in figure skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. She was also the first British female Winter Olympian to win a gold medal in an individual event since Jeannette Altwegg in 1952.<ref name=bathchron/><ref>{{cite news |last=Donegan |first=Lawrence |title=Amy Williams makes her mark with the slide of her life in Vancouver |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/20/amy-williams-winter-olympics-vancouver |access-date=9 December 2025 |work=The Guardian |location=London |publisher=Guardian Media Group |date=20 February 2010 |issn=1756-3224 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120080743/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/20/amy-williams-winter-olympics-vancouver |archive-date=20 January 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Williams then acted as flag bearer for Great Britain at the Games' closing ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hubbard |first=Alan |title=Amy takes ice dream with a 'pinch of salt' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/amy-takes-ice-dream-with-a-pinch-of-salt-1917489.html |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=The Independent |location=London |issn=1741-9743 |date=7 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219040826/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/amy-takes-ice-dream-with-a-pinch-of-salt-1917489.html |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her win was Great Britain's only medal of the games.<ref>{{cite news |last=Donegan |first=Lawrence |title=Team GB on defensive as Vancouver Olympic medal target is missed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/25/team-gb-vancouver-olympics-medals |access-date=12 December 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |publisher=Guardian Media Group |issn=1756-3224 |date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251220073936/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/25/team-gb-vancouver-olympics-medals |archive-date=20 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Winter Olympics: GB chief Mike Hay declares new belief |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/23637506 |access-date=12 December 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410203449/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/23637506 |archive-date=10 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> When she returned to her hometown of Bath, she was given an open-top bus parade in her honour.<ref name=bus>{{cite news |title=Gold medallist Amy Williams' open-top bus tour of Bath |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8546734.stm |access-date=9 December 2025 |work=BBC News |date=3 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260417090849/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/8546734.stm |archive-date=17 April 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of the year, she was a nominee for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.<ref>{{cite press release |title=BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010 shortlist unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/11_november/29/spoty.shtml |access-date=9 December 2025 |publisher=BBC |date=29 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219042926/https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/11_november/29/spoty.shtml |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In the 2010-11 World Cup, Williams missed the start of the competition after taking a break from the sport. On her return, she finished twelfth in her comeback race at Igls.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amy Williams falters on return to competition |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9362242.stm |access-date=10 December 2025 |department=Winter Sports |work=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260417091238/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9362242.stm |archive-date=17 April 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the World Cup meeting in Winterberg, which also acted as the European Championships, Williams finished fifth but was the third best-placed European so was consequently awarded a European bronze medal.<ref>{{cite web |title=British Skeleton duo Shelley Rudman and Amy Williams win gold and bronze respectively at 2011 European Championships |url=https://www.teambath.com/2011/01/22/rudman-and-williams-take-european-gold-and-bronze/ |work=Team Bath |access-date=9 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209011002/https://www.teambath.com/2011/01/22/rudman-and-williams-take-european-gold-and-bronze/ |archive-date=9 February 2025 |date=22 January 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> In total, she recorded three top-10 finishes in the competition, but failed to earn selection for the forthcoming 2011 World Championships.<ref name=ambass>{{cite news |title=Amy Williams' year after winning Winter Olympic gold |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9401677.stm |access-date=9 December 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260417091524/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9401677.stm |archive-date=17 April 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Amy Williams to miss skeleton World Championships |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9392039.stm |access-date=9 December 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219071204/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9392039.stm |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Williams appeared in several television programmes in 2011, but returned to competition for the first time in almost a year at the 2011-12 World Cup. She stated: "I do feel different and don't have the same complete hunger for it", but said she would give "110%" and see what happens. She stated it was her aim to compete at the next Winter Olympics in 2014, but questioned whether she had the focus to continue for three more years.<ref name=return>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Anna |title=Amy Williams set for skeleton return |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/15984591 |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024060043/https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-sports/15984591 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> During the competition, she found herself regularly finishing behind her international teammates Rudman and Lizzy Yarnold.<ref name=ret/>
Williams finished fifth at the 2012 World Championships in Lake Placid,<ref name=ibsf/> and a couple of months later, on 1 May 2012, she announced her retirement from skeleton. She said that injuries were behind her quitting the sport. She described how they caused her pain, and explained that she had ruptured her knee and that competing was no longer fun.<ref name=ret>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/17916477 |title=Amy Williams retires from skeleton |date=1 May 2012 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926213157/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/17916477 |archive-date=26 September 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> She had also endured back trouble during her career, originating from a slipped disc she suffered in an accident at Altenberg.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ostlere |first=Lawrence |title=Amy Williams on injury, recovery and coping with the pain to become an Olympic champion |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/winter-olympics/amy-williams-interview-skeleton-vancouver-winter-olympics-gold-a9249436.html |access-date=10 December 2025 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |issn=1741-9743 |date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625161638/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/winter-olympics/amy-williams-interview-skeleton-vancouver-winter-olympics-gold-a9249436.html |archive-date=25 June 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Post-retirement== Williams was a contestant in both the ITV show ''71 Degrees North'' and ''Alone in the Wild'' in 2011.<ref name=return/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s138/71-degrees-north/news/a330390/martin-kemp-sean-maguire-brooke-kinsella-in-71-degrees-north-full-lineup.html |title=71 Degrees Lineup |website=Digital Spy |date=18 July 2011 | access-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606191652/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s138/71-degrees-north/news/a330390/martin-kemp-sean-maguire-brooke-kinsella-in-71-degrees-north-full-lineup.html |archive-date=6 June 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> She also appeared in ''Top Gear'' series 17 episode 1 where she raced her sled against a rally car in Lillehammer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mini Vs British gold medallist |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hvykx |publisher=BBC |access-date=9 December 2025 |date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219052305/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hvykx |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Radford |first=Ceri |title=Top Gear, series 17, episode 1, review |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8597587/Top-Gear-series-17-episode-1-review.html |access-date=11 December 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=26 June 2011 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029145328/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8597587/Top-Gear-series-17-episode-1-review.html |archive-date=29 October 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2013, the BBC revealed that Williams would be a co-presenter on the 35th series of ''Ski Sunday''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/20935081 |title=Ski Sunday returns on BBC Two for 35th season|work=BBC Sport |date=7 January 2013 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101021143/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/20935081 |archive-date=1 November 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In September 2013, Williams was approached by Tony Jardine, a motorsports pundit and rally driver, who asked her to be his co-driver at the 2013 Wales Rally GB which formed part of the World Rally Championship.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dirs |first=Ben |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/24873795 |title=Amy Williams: Olympic champion swaps skeleton for rally co-driving |work=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2013 |access-date=7 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504220128/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/24873795 |archive-date=4 May 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Williams first needed to take part in four other rallies to earn her international navigators' license, and these included the Rally Yorkshire. There, in her second rally, the pair finished 16th overall and first in their class at the British Rally Championship event.<ref>{{cite news |title=Success for Amy Williams at Rally Yorkshire |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10711262.success-for-amy-williams-at-rally-yorkshire/ |access-date=10 December 2025 |newspaper=The York Press |publisher=Newsquest |date=2 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219041104/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10711262.success-for-amy-williams-at-rally-yorkshire/ |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=york/> In November that year, the duo realized their aim of competing at the Wales Rally GB and finished in 26th position.<ref name=york>{{cite news |title=Tony Jardine and Amy Williams in GB rally glory |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10825460.tony-jardine-and-amy-williams-in-gb-rally-glory/ |access-date=10 December 2025 |newspaper=The York Press |publisher=Newsquest |date=21 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219045236/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10825460.tony-jardine-and-amy-williams-in-gb-rally-glory/ |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Williams was named as an Ambassador for Team GB at the 2014 Winter Olympics with the hope that she could inspire the British athletes competing there.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sochi 2014: Bath's Amy Williams is Team GB ambassador |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-21365031 |access-date=16 December 2025 |work=BBC News |date=7 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213165615/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-21365031 |archive-date=13 February 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2014, it was announced that she would replace Rachel Riley as a presenter on Channel 5's ''The Gadget Show''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-04-25/rachel-riley-replaced-by-olympic-gold-medalist-amy-williams-on-the-gadget-show |title=Rachel Riley leave The Gadget Show to be replaced by Olympic skeleton star Amy Williams on Channel 5's tech review programme |last=Glanfield |first=Tim |date=25 April 2014 |magazine=Radio Times |access-date=25 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506000740/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-04-25/rachel-riley-replaced-by-olympic-gold-medalist-amy-williams-on-the-gadget-show |archive-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Williams reunited with Tony Jardine to again compete in the Wales Rally GB and this time they finished 39th in their Mitsubishi Evo IX.<ref>{{cite news |title=Successful finish for Bath's Amy Williams at the gruelling Wales Rally GB |url=https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/sport/successful-finish-baths-amy-williams-gruelling-wales-rally-gb-69272/ |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=Bath Echo |date=1 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215081232/https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/sport/successful-finish-baths-amy-williams-gruelling-wales-rally-gb-69272/ |archive-date=15 February 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, it was announced that she would compete as a driver in the Celebrity Challenge Trophy at Silverstone motor racing circuit.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Daniel |title=Bath's Olympic skeleton champion Amy Williams gears up for classic motor race at Silverstone |url=https://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/sport/other-sport/baths-olympic-skeleton-champion-amy-165220 |access-date=9 December 2025 |work=Bath Chronicle |date=4 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809161246/https://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/sport/other-sport/baths-olympic-skeleton-champion-amy-165220 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2018, Williams was part of the BBC's team providing coverage on the Winter Olympics,<ref>{{cite web|title=Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/pyeongchang |work=BBC Media Centre |access-date=15 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501225134/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/pyeongchang/ |archive-date=1 May 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> and also that year, she co-presented coverage of the Isle of Man TT for ITV4.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympic Gold Medallist Amy Williams MBE joins Steve Parrish and Steve Plater for ITV4's Classic TT Races Coverage |url=https://www.iomtt.com/news/2018/08/20/olympic-medallist-amy-williams-joins-presentation-team |website=iomtt.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212145623/https://www.iomtt.com/news/2018/08/20/olympic-medallist-amy-williams-joins-presentation-team |archive-date=12 February 2025 |date=20 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, she was appointed as the first Ambassador of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, a charity that enables former athletes to mentor and support young people and newly retired athletes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/community/amy-williams-dame-kelly-holmes-trust-ambassador-87828/ |title=Bath's Amy Williams joins Dame Kelly Holmes Trust as its first Ambassador |date=20 December 2019 |work=Bath Echo |access-date=28 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411215550/https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/community/amy-williams-dame-kelly-holmes-trust-ambassador-87828/ |archive-date=11 April 2025}}</ref> In 2021, she authored the book ''Talent to Triumph: How Athletes Turn Potential into High Performance''.<ref>{{cite web |title=#159 Amy Williams MBE - Talent to Triumph |url=https://thesportpsychshow.libsyn.com/159-amy-williams-mbe-talent-to-triumph |website=Sports Psych Show |access-date=9 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218062040/https://thesportpsychshow.libsyn.com/159-amy-williams-mbe-talent-to-triumph |archive-date=18 February 2025 |date=13 September 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2023, Williams was named an Ambassador for the University of Bath's Team Bath Tribe programme of sports activities for children. The programme's aim is to get children participating in a variety of sports at the university's Sports Training Village, and develop lifelong passions for sport, with Williams having first-hand experience to share.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympic Champion Amy Williams named as Team Bath Tribe Ambassador as new term of youth sports activities begins |url=https://www.teambath.com/2023/09/11/amy-willams-tribe-youth-sport-ambassador/ |work=Team Bath |date=11 September 2023 |publisher=University of Bath |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126125907/https://www.teambath.com/2023/09/11/amy-willams-tribe-youth-sport-ambassador/ |archive-date=26 January 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Personal life== Williams married her partner Craig in August 2015 in Bathampton, having met him on Tinder.<ref name=marry>{{cite news |url=http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Olympic-gold-medallist-Amy-Williams-marries-St/story-27666854-detail/story.html |title=Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams marries at St Nicholas's church in Bathampton |newspaper=Bath Chronicle |date=24 August 2015 |access-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923192516/http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Olympic-gold-medallist-Amy-Williams-marries-St/story-27666854-detail/story.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The couple have two sons, born in 2017 and 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amy Williams opens up about becoming a mother |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/amy-williams-opens-up-about-becoming-a-mother/35609206.html |access-date=14 February 2026 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |publisher=Mediahuis Ireland |date=10 May 2017 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219071711/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/amy-williams-opens-up-about-becoming-a-mother/35609206.html |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Olympian Amy Williams on 'wonderful' bond between her toddler and new baby |url=https://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/17725089.olympian-amy-williams-wonderful-bond-toddler-new-baby/ |access-date=9 December 2025 |newspaper=Ilkley Gazette |publisher=Newsquest |agency=PA News |date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219042316/https://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/17725089.olympian-amy-williams-wonderful-bond-toddler-new-baby/ |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> She has a twin sister and a brother.<ref>{{cite news |last=Finch |first=Hannah |title=Family celebrate Amy's gold |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/family-celebrate-amys-gold-1936315 |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=Wales Online |publisher=Reach |date=22 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210145514/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/family-celebrate-amys-gold-1936315 |archive-date=10 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her hobbies include painting and creative art.<ref>{{cite news |title=Winter Olympics 2010: Amy Williams profile |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/winter-olympics/7277548/Winter-Olympics-2010-Amy-Williams-profile.html |access-date=9 December 2025 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 February 2010 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219050908/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/winter-olympics/7277548/Winter-Olympics-2010-Amy-Williams-profile.html |archive-date=19 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Awards and honours== Williams was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59446 |date=12 June 2010 |page=23 |supp=y}}</ref><ref name=mbe>{{cite news |title=Winter Olympics gold medallist Amy Williams made MBE |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10298501 |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=BBC News |date=12 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509165010/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10298501 |archive-date=9 May 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> She became the first woman to be installed as an Honorary Freeman of the City of Bath on 5 June 2010,<ref name=mbe/><ref name="teambath-20100600">{{cite news |url=http://www.teambath.com/2010/06/olympic-gold-medallist-amy-williams-to-become-honorary-freeman-of-the-city-of-bath/ |title=Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams to become Honorary Freeman of the City of Bath |work=Team Bath |publisher=The Department of Sports Development, University of Bath |access-date=7 September 2010 |date=June 2010 |archive-date=12 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612180133/http://www.teambath.com/2010/06/olympic-gold-medallist-amy-williams-to-become-honorary-freeman-of-the-city-of-bath/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and was named Sportswoman of the Year at the 2010 Glamour Awards.<ref name="Glamour 2010">{{cite web|title=Full List of Glamour Award 2010 Winners |url=http://www.mrpaparazzi.com/post.aspx?postID=11507 |work=Mr Paparazzi |date=6 September 2010 |access-date=30 May 2012}}{{dead link|date=May 2026}}</ref>
In May 2012, Williams carried the Olympic torch through Yeovil, Somerset, as part of the torch relay for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic torch: Amy Williams and Jason Gardener carry flame |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18148218 |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=BBC News |date=22 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011175446/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18148218 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The University of Bath inducted her into their Hall of Fame in 2014,<ref>{{cite news |title=Amy Williams inducted to University of Bath Hall of Fame |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-27588911 |access-date=10 December 2025 |work=BBC News |date=27 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210042911/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-27588911 |archive-date=10 December 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> and awarded her an Honorary Doctorate of Laws in June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amy Williams MBE: oration |url=https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/amy-williams-mbe-oration/ |access-date=7 October 2025 |website=www.bath.ac.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419213136/https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/amy-williams-mbe-oration/ |archive-date=19 April 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career victories== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:centre; font-size:95%;" |- ! align=center | Year ! Event ! Location ! Runner-up ! Margin ! Ref |- | 2010 | Winter Olympics | {{flagicon|CAN}} Vancouver | {{flagicon|GER}} Kerstin Szymkowiak | align=center | 0.56 s |<ref name=sli/> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Amy Williams}} * {{IBSF|100589|Amy Williams}} * {{Team GB}} * {{Olympics.com}} * {{Olympedia}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Skeleton Women}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Amy}} Category:1982 births Category:Alumni of the University of Bath Category:English Olympic competitors Category:English female skeleton racers Category:Living people Category:Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire Category:Olympic gold medallists for Great Britain Category:Olympic medalists in skeleton Category:Olympic skeleton racers for Great Britain Category:People educated at Beechen Cliff School Category:Sportspeople from Bath, Somerset Category:Sportspeople from Cambridge Category:Skeleton racers at the 2010 Winter Olympics Category:Team Bath winter athletes Category:Winter World University Games medalists in skeleton Category:FISU World University Games silver medalists for Great Britain Category:Competitors at the 2005 Winter Universiade Category:21st-century English sportswomen Category:People educated at Hayesfield Girls' School, Bath