William, “Bill” Crothers was born in Markham (Ontario, Canada). As a high school athlete, he won the provincial championships in the 440-yard event. In the club programme, Bill was the national junior champion in the same event.

After high school, Bill studied pharmacy at the University of Toronto. Crothers was a member of the East York Track Club under legendary coach Fred Foot, where he ran races ranging from the 440 yards to the 1500m. At one point in time, Bill held the national record in each of the events. He excelled at the 800m/880-yard distance, setting a world indoor best in early 1964. By the end of 1963, Crothers so dominated middle distance running in North America that he was awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy as the Canadian Athlete of the Year (for all sports). He was also ranked named number one in the world in the 800m by Track & Field News.

Crothers’ achievements made him one of the favourites to win a medal in the 800m at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo (Japan). At the Games, Crothers finished second to the Peter Snell, the world record holder in the 800m and 1500m. Crothers’ time of 1:45.69, was under the world record and remained as the Canadian record until 1988. At the same Games, Crothers also entered the 400m, where he made it as far as the semi-finals.

One of his important international victories was the 800m at the 1965 World University Games in Budapest (Hungary). Additionally, he won the silver medal at the 1967 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, MB. Based on overall performance, Crothers repeated his number one Track & Field News world ranking in the 800 from 1963. Crothers’ speed granted him the opportunity to run the anchor leg of the 4x400m/440-yard relay at the 1967 Pan American Games and the 1966 British Empire (Commonwealth) Games in Kingston (Jamaica) where Canada won silver at both meets.

Injuries shortened Crothers’ competitive career, but as he approached retirement, he became involved in the administration of the sport, including personally funding the promotion of international level meets in Canada.

Bill Crothers is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.