Lori Norwood (born July 30, 1964) is a retired modern pentathlete turned sculptor.

She began her modern pentathlon career during her teens after a friend recommended the sport based on Norwood's previous experience with shooting and horseback riding.

[3] For her post-secondary education, Norwood attended the University of Texas in the early 1980s and competed in cross-country running.

[3] Norwood was banned from competition after testing positive for Gamma-Butyrolactone at the 1986 World Modern Pentathlon Championships.

[5] With her gold medal in 1989, Norwood became the first woman of the United States to win a world title in modern penthatlon.