Andrea Lynch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Andrea Lynch

Personal information
Nationality	British (English)/Barbadian
Born	24 November 1952 Barbados
Height	157 cm
Weight	52 kg
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Sprints
Club	Mitcham AC
Medal record Representing  Great Britain Women's Athletics European Championships Bronze 1974 Rome 100 m European Indoor Championships Gold 1975 Katowice 60 m Silver 1974 Gothenburg 60 m Representing  England British Commonwealth Games Silver 1974 Christchurch 100 m Silver 1974 Christchurch 4 × 100 m relay Representing Europe World Cup Gold 1977 Düsseldorf 4 × 100 m relay

Andrea Joan Caron Lynch, born on November 24, 1952, is a British former track and field athlete. She was a very fast sprinter, mostly competing in the 100 metres race. Andrea was an Olympian twice, meaning she competed in the Olympic Games.

One of the best parts of her career was winning a bronze medal in the 100 m at the 1974 European Athletics Championships. She also won two silver medals at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games. These were for the 100 m race and the 4 × 100 metres relay, where a team of four runners each sprint 100 meters. Andrea Lynch once held the British record for the 100 m.

Andrea Lynch's Athletics Journey

Early Life and Start in Athletics

Andrea Lynch was born in Barbados. When she was young, her family moved to England. She first thought about representing Barbados in the 1970 British Commonwealth Games. However, she decided to compete for Britain instead when she didn't hear back from Barbados.

She quickly showed her talent as a young sprinter for Britain. She won the 100 m race at the English Schools' Athletics Championships in 1970. The next year, in 1971, she won the 200 metres race at the same event. Her first big international medal was a silver in the 100 m at the 1970 European Athletics Junior Championships.

Major Achievements and Medals

In 1974, Andrea Lynch achieved a remarkable feat. She equaled the world record for the 60 metres indoor race, finishing in just 7.2 seconds. She had great success in this indoor event. She won a gold medal at the 1975 European Athletics Indoor Championships. Before that, she had won a silver medal at the same competition in 1974.

She also competed in the 1975 European Cup, where she finished second in the 100 m. Her last major individual medals came at the 1977 Universiade. There, she earned a silver medal in the 100 m and a bronze medal in the 200 m.

Andrea's only global team medal was at the 1977 IAAF World Cup. She was part of the European relay team that won gold in the 4 × 100 m relay. She ran alongside other talented athletes like Sonia Lannaman and Annegret Richter.

Olympic Appearances

Andrea Lynch proudly represented Great Britain at the Olympics twice. Her first Olympic appearance was in 1972 when she was still a teenager. She reached the semi-finals in the 100 m race. She also helped her team finish seventh in the 4 × 100 metres relay.

Four years later, in 1976, she returned to the Olympics. This time, she made it to the Olympic 100 metres final and finished seventh. She also reached the relay final again with her team.

National Success and Coaching

At the national level, Andrea won three British 100 metres titles. These wins were at the WAAA Championships in 1973, 1975, and 1976. She was also considered a four-time British champion because she was the best British athlete in the 1974 WAAA Championships.

She also won three 60 m titles at the AAA Indoor Championships in 1973, 1975, and 1976. In 1977, she finished second in both the 100 m and 200 m at the first 1977 UK Athletics Championships. She even competed as a guest at the Scottish Athletics Championships in 1972, winning both short sprint races.

Andrea also competed in the United States for the Long Beach State Beach track and field team. She finished second in the 100 m at the 1977 AIAW Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

After she stopped competing, Andrea stayed involved in athletics. She became a sprint coach, helping young athletes improve their speed. She coached top junior sprinters at Belgrave Harriers. Andrea was also married to Canadian Olympic sprinter Brian Saunders.

International Competitions

Here is a list of Andrea Lynch's results in major international competitions:

National Titles

Andrea Lynch won several national championships:

• AAA Championships
  • 100 metres: 1973, 1975, 1976
• AAA Indoor Championships
  • 60 metres: 1973, 1975, 1976
• Scottish Athletics Championships
  • 100 metres: 1972
  • 200 metres: 1972

See also

In Spanish: Andrea Lynch para niños

• List of European Athletics Championships medalists (women)
• List of European Athletics Indoor Championships medalists (women)
• List of 100 metres national champions (women)