Tim Willis

4 days ago 2

incorrect overuse of bolding

← Previous revision Revision as of 14:42, 7 July 2025
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=== Early life and education ===
=== Early life and education ===
Tim Willis was born and raised in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. He lost his sight at a young age but continued to pursue athletics and academics. He competed in [[cross-country running|cross-country]] throughout high school and college, becoming the first totally blind athlete to compete in [[NCAA Division I]] cross-country while attending [[Georgia Southern University]]. He earned a '''[[Bachelor of Science]] in [[Political science|Political Science]]''' from Georgia Southern in 1994 and was inducted into the university's [https://gseagles.com/honors/athletic-hall-of-fame Athletic Hall of Fame] in 2006.
Tim Willis was born and raised in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. He lost his sight at a young age but continued to pursue athletics and academics. He competed in [[cross-country running|cross-country]] throughout high school and college, becoming the first totally blind athlete to compete in [[NCAA Division I]] cross-country while attending [[Georgia Southern University]]. He earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] in [[Political science|Political Science]] from Georgia Southern in 1994 and was inducted into the university's [https://gseagles.com/honors/athletic-hall-of-fame Athletic Hall of Fame] in 2006.


[[File:Tim Willis Georgia Southern University Hall of Fame Induction 2006.jpg|thumb|Tim Willis receives his Hall of Fame plaque in 2006]]
[[File:Tim Willis Georgia Southern University Hall of Fame Induction 2006.jpg|thumb|Tim Willis receives his Hall of Fame plaque in 2006]]


After competing in the 1996 [[Summer Paralympics|Paralympic Games]] in [[Atlanta]], Willis enrolled at [[Mercer University School of Law]], where he earned his '''[[Juris Doctor]]''' in 2000.
After competing in the 1996 [[Summer Paralympics|Paralympic Games]] in [[Atlanta]], Willis enrolled at [[Mercer University School of Law]], where he earned his [[Juris Doctor]] in 2000.


[[File:Tim Willis 2000 Law School Graduation.jpg|thumb|Tim Willis receiving his Juris Doctor diploma during the 2000 Mercer University School of Law graduation ceremony.]]
[[File:Tim Willis 2000 Law School Graduation.jpg|thumb|Tim Willis receiving his Juris Doctor diploma during the 2000 Mercer University School of Law graduation ceremony.]]


=== Paralympic career ===
=== Paralympic career ===
Willis is one of the most decorated American blind distance runners, having competed at the highest international level across three Paralympic Games and numerous World Championships. Over his athletic career, he set '''two [[world record]]s''' and won '''five [[Paralympic medal|Paralympic medals]]''':
Willis is one of the most decorated American blind distance runners, having competed at the highest international level across three Paralympic Games and numerous World Championships. Over his athletic career, he set two [[world record]]s and won five [[Paralympic medal|Paralympic medals]]:
* '''1992 [[Summer Paralympics|Barcelona Paralympics]]''' – 4th ([[1500 metres|1500 m]]), 5th ([[5000 metres|5000 m]])
* 1992 [[Summer Paralympics|Barcelona Paralympics]] – 4th ([[1500 metres|1500 m]]), 5th ([[5000 metres|5000 m]])
* '''1996 [[Summer Paralympics|Atlanta Paralympics]]''' – Silver ([[10,000 metres|10,000 m]]), Bronze (1500 m, 5000 m, 1600 m relay)
* 1996 [[Summer Paralympics|Atlanta Paralympics]] – Silver ([[10,000 metres|10,000 m]]), Bronze (1500 m, 5000 m, 1600 m relay)
* '''2000 [[Summer Paralympics|Sydney Paralympics]]''' – Bronze (10,000 m), 4th (5000 m)
* 2000 [[Summer Paralympics|Sydney Paralympics]] – Bronze (10,000 m), 4th (5000 m)


He also won medals at multiple '''[[World Para Athletics Championships|World Championships]]''', including:
He also won medals at multiple [[World Para Athletics Championships|World Championships]], including:
* Gold – 10,000 meters (1994, Berlin)
* Gold – 10,000 meters (1994, Berlin)
* Silver – 5,000 meters (1994, Berlin)
* Silver – 5,000 meters (1994, Berlin)
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[[File:Tim Willis 1996 Paralympic Games Bronze Medal Ceremony.jpg|thumb|Tim Willis (right) receiving the bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games.]]
[[File:Tim Willis 1996 Paralympic Games Bronze Medal Ceremony.jpg|thumb|Tim Willis (right) receiving the bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games.]]


Willis' performance at the 1994 World Championships was especially notable, as he became the first blind athlete to break 33 minutes in the T11 10,000 m event. From 1995 to 2002, he held the '''world record in the 10,000 meters''' for visually impaired runners ([https://www.paralympic.org/athletes source]).
Willis' performance at the 1994 World Championships was especially notable, as he became the first blind athlete to break 33 minutes in the T11 10,000 m event. From 1995 to 2002, he held the world record in the 10,000 meters for visually impaired runners ([https://www.paralympic.org/athletes source]).


In 1995, he became the first male athlete with a disability to be named the '''[[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee]]'s Athlete of the Month'''. He also participated in ceremonial events, including carrying the [[Olympic torch]] in '''[[Oslo]]''' and '''[[Stone Mountain, Georgia]]''', and was invited to jog with President [[Bill Clinton]] in 1994.
In 1995, he became the first male athlete with a disability to be named the [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee]]'s Athlete of the Month. He also participated in ceremonial events, including carrying the [[Olympic torch]] in [[Oslo]] and [[Stone Mountain, Georgia]], and was invited to jog with President [[Bill Clinton]] in 1994.


[[File:Tim Willis 1994 Olympic Torch Relay in Norway.jpg|thumb|Tim Willis carrying the Olympic torch in Norway during the 1994 Olympic Torch Relay.]]
[[File:Tim Willis 1994 Olympic Torch Relay in Norway.jpg|thumb|Tim Willis carrying the Olympic torch in Norway during the 1994 Olympic Torch Relay.]]
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=== Legal and professional career ===
=== Legal and professional career ===
After retiring from competitive athletics, Willis passed the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] [[bar examination|Bar Exam]] on his first attempt and began practicing law. He founded the '''Law Office of Tim Willis''', focusing on [[disability law]], personal injury, and estate planning.
After retiring from competitive athletics, Willis passed the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] [[bar examination|Bar Exam]] on his first attempt and began practicing law. He founded the Law Office of Tim Willis, focusing on [[disability law]], personal injury, and estate planning.


From 2008 to 2014, Willis held positions with the '''[[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)]]''', where he managed grant programs, led compliance training, and oversaw Paralympic veterans' initiatives.
From 2008 to 2014, Willis held positions with the [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)]], where he managed grant programs, led compliance training, and oversaw Paralympic veterans' initiatives.


Since 2014, he has worked as an independent contractor attorney, advising nonprofit and for-profit organizations on [[federal grant]] compliance and [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA]] policies.
Since 2014, he has worked as an independent contractor attorney, advising nonprofit and for-profit organizations on [[federal grant]] compliance and [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA]] policies.
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=== Advocacy and public speaking ===
=== Advocacy and public speaking ===
Willis has served in numerous leadership and advisory roles, including:
Willis has served in numerous leadership and advisory roles, including:
* President of '''Touch the Future, Inc.'''
* President of Touch the Future, Inc.
* Board Member of '''BlazeSports America'''
* Board Member of BlazeSports America
* Member of the '''Georgia Statewide Rehabilitation Council'''
* Member of the Georgia Statewide Rehabilitation Council


He has also been a motivational speaker for corporations, schools, and civic organizations, addressing [[disability rights]], leadership, and the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)]].
He has also been a motivational speaker for corporations, schools, and civic organizations, addressing [[disability rights]], leadership, and the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)]].
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