Search the Collection

Lillian Board

(1948-1970), Sprinter; Olympian

Sitter in 1 portrait
Athlete; Born in Durban, South Africa, Board moved to England in 1950. She became a member of the London Olympiades Athletics Club aged only twelve. Board was trained by her father, and after a string of successes in the 400 metres, including setting a new European record, she was dubbed the 'Golden Girl' by the British press. At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics she won silver in the 400 metres, recording a British record time of 52.12 seconds and became something of a national icon. Her last competition was the 1969 European Championships, where she won gold for the 800 metres and the 4 x 400 metres relay. Board was awarded an MBE in 1970 for her contribution to sport. Her tragic early death from intestinal cancer at the the age of twenty-two was a heavy blow for women's athletics in Britain.

10 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.