Florence Griffith Joyner

Hello. My name is Florence Griffith Joyner, but you can call me 'Flo-Jo.' I was born on December 21st, 1959, in Los Angeles, California. I grew up in a big family, which was always fun and full of energy. From the time I was a little girl, I discovered something that made me feel powerful and free: running. I loved the feeling of the wind rushing past my ears and my feet flying across the ground. It wasn't just about playing, though; I wanted to see just how fast I could be. When I was only seven years old, in the mid-1960s, I began competing in official races. I joined a wonderful group called the Sugar Ray Robinson Youth Foundation, which gave kids like me a chance to train and compete. Those early races were the very beginning of a journey that would take me to places I had only dreamed of.

As I grew older, my passion for running grew right along with me. In high school, I started breaking track and field records, and that feeling of accomplishment pushed me to work even harder. In 1978, I went to college at California State University at Northridge to continue my running career. However, my family needed my help, so I had to leave school for a while to work. I worried my dream was over, but my coach, Bob Kersee, believed in me. In 1980, he helped me get a scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles, also known as UCLA. That same year, I felt a deep disappointment when the United States boycotted the Olympics, and I lost my chance to compete. I didn't give up, and in 1983, I proudly graduated with a degree in psychology.

In 1984, my Olympic dream finally came true, and it happened right in my hometown of Los Angeles. Competing in front of a home crowd was an amazing experience, and I was thrilled to win a silver medal. But running was only one part of who I was. I also loved fashion and wanted to express my personality on the track. I became famous for my bold and stylish running outfits, especially my unique one-legged running suits, which I called 'one-leggers.' They were bright, colorful, and different from anything anyone had ever seen in track and field. I also loved to have fun with my appearance by growing my fingernails long and decorating them with amazing designs. My style was all about being me. My life outside of sports was just as wonderful. On October 10th, 1987, I married Al Joyner, who was also an Olympic champion. We shared a special bond because we both understood the hard work and dedication it took to be an athlete.

The year 1988 turned out to be the most incredible year of my entire career. It started at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where I was getting ready to run the 100-meter race. I felt strong and focused. When I crossed the finish line, I looked up at the clock and saw the time: 10.49 seconds. I had just set a new world record. A few months later, I traveled to Seoul, South Korea, for the 1988 Summer Olympics. I ran with every bit of energy and heart I had, and it was the performance of a lifetime. I came home with three gold medals and one silver medal. I also set another world record, this time in the 200-meter race. After reaching these amazing goals, I felt that I had achieved everything I wanted to in the sport. So, in early 1989, I decided to retire from track and begin a new chapter.

After I stopped competing, I focused on my other passions, including fashion design, and spending time with my family. I lived to be 38 years old. Though my life was not as long as some, I filled it with speed, color, and joy. People today remember me for my speed and for bringing fun, style, and personality to sports. My world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter races still stand today. I hope my story shows you that you can chase your dreams with all your heart, and that it's wonderful to let your own unique personality shine through in everything you do.