Lorna Forde

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexFemale
Full nameLorna C.•Forde (-Mitchell)
Used nameLorna•Forde
Born24 June 1952
Measurements155 cm / 55 kg
AffiliationsLIU Blackbirds, New York (USA)
NOC Barbados

Biography

Lorna Forde was a two-time Olympian who competed in 1972 and 1976. She won a bronze medal at the 1975 Pan American Games. Although Barbadian Forde attended college at Long Island University (LIU) and ran frequently in the United States. She was US Champion at 400 metres in 1976 and 1978 and won US Indoor titles over 440 yards in 1976-77.

Forde was a two-time All-American at LIU. She set several world indoor bests, with two record-setting marks at 440 yards in 1977, a 1976 record in the 500 yards, and a 1978 best mark in the 500 metres.

Forde ran for the Atoms Track Club in New York, where she was taught and coached by Fred Thompson. She is perhaps best known for running on 21 winning teams for the Atoms TC at the Penn Relays. In later years Forde became Thompson’s primary caretaker before his death.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.57 (1976); 400 – 51.04 (1978).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Summer Olympics Athletics BAR Lorna Forde
4 × 400 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) Barbados 7 h1 r1/2
1976 Summer Olympics Athletics BAR Lorna Forde
100 metres, Women (Olympic) 7 h1 r1/4
400 metres, Women (Olympic) 7 h1 r2/4

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1976 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony BAR Lorna Forde

Special Notes