Lisbeth Korsmo (née Berg; January 14, 1949 – January 22, 2017) was a Norwegian speed skater. She was one of Norway's most prominent female speed skaters during the 1970s, representing the club Oslo IL.
Early Life and Career Born Lisbeth Berg in Oslo, Norway, Korsmo showed early promise in speed skating. She quickly rose through the ranks in Norwegian speed skating, becoming a national champion multiple times.
Olympic Career Korsmo participated in four Winter Olympic Games, an impressive feat for her era:
- 1968 Winter Olympics (Grenoble, France): She competed in multiple distances.
- 1972 Winter Olympics (Sapporo, Japan): Again, she participated in several events.
- 1976 Winter Olympics (Innsbruck, Austria): This was her most successful Olympic appearance. She won a bronze medal in the 3000 meters event, making her the first Norwegian woman to win an Olympic medal in speed skating. She also placed fourth in the 1500 meters, narrowly missing another medal.
- 1980 Winter Olympics (Lake Placid, United States): Her final Olympic appearance.
World and European Championships Throughout her career, Korsmo was a consistent competitor at both World Allround Speed Skating Championships and European Allround Speed Skating Championships. While she did not win gold, silver, or bronze at the World or European Allround Championships, she achieved numerous top-10 finishes and was a strong contender in individual distances.
Personal Life Lisbeth Korsmo passed away on January 22, 2017, at the age of 68. She is remembered as a pioneering figure in Norwegian women's speed skating.
Achievements and Medals
| Event | Medal | Year | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics | Bronze | 1976 | 3000 m |
Records Korsmo held several Norwegian records during her career. Her Olympic bronze medal remains a significant achievement in Norwegian sports history.