Florence Griffith Joyner
Florence Delorez Griffith-Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, was an American track and field athlete who gained fame for her incredible speed. She set world records in 1988 for the 100m and 200m races. During the late 1980s, she became well-known not only for her athletic achievements but also for her unique personal style.
Florence Griffith Joyner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Griffith Joyner in 1988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Co-chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1993–1998 Serving with Tom McMillen[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Bill Clinton | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Arnold Schwarzenegger (as chairman) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Lee Haney (as chair) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Florence Delorez Griffith December 21, 1959[2] Los Angeles, California, U.S.[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | September 21, 1998 (aged 38)[2] Mission Viejo, California, U.S.[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resting place | El Toro Memorial Park, Lake Forest, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | Flo-Jo[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 126 lb (57 kg)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 100 meters, 200 meters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Tiger World Class Athletic Club West Coast Athletic Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 100m: 10.49 w WR 200m: 21.34 WR 400m: 50.89 4 × 100m: 41.55 4 × 400m: 3:15.51 AR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Griffith Joyner grew up in California and showed athletic talent from a young age, participating in track meets as a child. She continued competing in track and field while attending California State University, Northridge and later the University of California, Los Angeles. She qualified for the 1980 Olympics in the 100m event, but was unable to compete due to the U.S. boycott. She made her Olympic debut in 1984, winning a silver medal in the 200m race at the Los Angeles Olympics. At the 1988 U.S. Olympic trials, Griffith set a new world record in the 100m sprint and went on to win three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics. Surprisingly, she retired from athletics in February 1989. Despite leaving the world of sports, she remained a prominent figure in popular culture.
References
change- ↑ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (August 24, 2021). "History of the Council". health.gov. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Florence Griffith Joyner". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.