The Story of Bill Havens

Bill Havens? Who is that? 

I recently heard this story and had to share it. ​

In 1924, Bill Havens was set to represent the United States as a canoeist in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. 
He had been training diligently, and canoeing would make its debut as an olympic sport. Bill, at 27 years old, was the top-seeded member of his four-man crew. The team has raised $2,000 to cover their expenses, which was a large sum at that time. The only challenge? 
His wife was pregnant and due to give birth at the same time as the competition. 

While his wife encouraged him to go, logistics at that time weren't what they are now. US competitors would travel by boat, and competitors would be gone for at least a month, often spending most of that time at sea. 

While Bill's personal ambitions to both compete and see the world drove him, it was ultimately his family that took center stage. Bill chose to remain with his wife for the birth of their son, Frank, a decision that he said he never once regretted. 

Bill's teammates would win 3 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals during those Olympics. While Bill would continue to compete, he never won an Olympic medal. 

Like his father, young Frank was drawn to the water, and Bill's passion for canoeing carried over to his eldest son. 

In 1948, Frank and his other brother, Bill Jr., would compete in the London Olympics. Frank won a silver medal in the 10,000 meters, and Bill finished fifth in the 1,000 meters. 

While Frank worked as an insurance salesman, he would continue to train. In 1952, he went back to the Olympics. Trailing for most of the 10,000 meter race, he made a late push to take gold. In a telegram back to his father, he wrote, "I'm bringing home the gold medal that you should have won."