Clifton Forbes

Clifton Forbes was a versatile sprinter for Jamaica, competing from 100 to 400 metres. His first sporting love was cricket, but he discovered early that he had natural speed and turned to athletics. Forbes competed at the 1967 Pan American Games, finishing eighth in the open 400, but winning a bronze medal in the 4×400 metre relay (with Mike Fray, Neville Myton, and the non-Olympian Alex McDonald). At the 1968 Olympics, Forbes ran the 4×100 for Jamaica, equaling the world record of 38.6 in the opening round, and then bettering it in the semi-finals with 38.3, before finishing fourth in the final. Forbes later competed at the 1970 Commonwealth Games, where he finished seventh in the 400. After his retirement from competition, Forbes served as a manager for Jamaican teams at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Central America and Caribbean Games, and Pan American Games, and was also a trainer for the national netball team. In business, Forbes worked as an administrator for Cable And Wireless (later LIME), a telecommunication company, and also consulted with the Jamaica Olympic Committee.

Personal Best: 400 – 45.75 (1968).