Florence Griffith Joyner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Florence Griffith Joyner
Co-chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
In office 1993–1998 Serving with Tom McMillen
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Arnold Schwarzenegger (as chairman)
Succeeded by	Lee Haney (as chair)
Personal details
Born	Florence Delorez Griffith (1959-12-21)December 21, 1959 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	September 21, 1998(1998-09-21) (aged 38) Mission Viejo, California, U.S.
Resting place	El Toro Memorial Park, Lake Forest, California, U.S.
Florence Griffith Joyner Personal information Nickname(s) Flo-Jo Nationality American Height 5 ft 7 in Weight 126 lb Sport Event(s) 100 meters, 200 meters Club Tiger World Class Athletic Club West Coast Athletic Club Retired 1988 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 Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1988 Seoul 100 m Gold 1988 Seoul 200 m Gold 1988 Seoul 4×100 m Silver 1984 Los Angeles 200 m Silver 1988 Seoul 4×400 m World Championships Gold 1987 Rome 4×100 m Silver 1987 Rome 200 m

Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner (born Florence Delorez Griffith; December 21, 1959 – September 21, 1998), known to many as Flo-Jo, was an amazing American track and field athlete. She became famous for setting world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter races in 1988. Flo-Jo was also well-known for her unique and colorful style.

Born and raised in California, Florence was a natural athlete from a young age. She started running in track meets when she was a child. She continued to compete while attending college at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She even qualified for the 1980 Olympics, but the U.S. did not participate that year.

Her first Olympic appearance was in 1984, where she won a silver medal in the 200-meter race. In 1988, she broke a world record in the 100-meter sprint at the U.S. Olympic trials. Later that year, she won three gold medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics. Flo-Jo retired from running in 1989. She passed away in 1998 at the age of 38.

Early Life and Running Beginnings

Florence Griffith was born in Los Angeles, California. She was the seventh of eleven children. Her family later moved to the Watts area of Los Angeles.

When Florence was in elementary school, she joined the Sugar Ray Robinson Organization. She ran in track meets on weekends. She won the Jesse Owens National Youth Games twice, at ages 14 and 15. Florence ran track for Jordan High School.

She loved fashion even then. Florence convinced her high school track team to wear tights with their uniforms. By the time she graduated in 1978, she held high school records in sprinting and long jump.

College and Early Olympic Dreams

Florence went to California State University, Northridge. She joined the track team coached by Bob Kersee. Her team won a national championship during her first year. However, Florence had to leave college to help her family. She worked as a bank teller.

Coach Kersee helped her find financial aid. She returned to college in 1980, this time at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Kersee was also coaching there. Florence qualified for the 1980 Olympics in the 100-meter race. But the U.S. Government decided to boycott those games. In 1983, Florence earned her degree in psychology from UCLA.

Becoming an Olympic Sprinter

Florence placed fourth in the 200-meter sprint at the first World Championship in 1983. The next year, she qualified for the 1984 Olympics. She had the second-fastest time in the 200-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Florence went on to win a silver medal in the 200-meter race at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

After the 1984 Olympics, she ran less often. She worked at a bank and styled hair and nails. In 1987, she married Al Joyner, who was an Olympic triple jump champion.

Florence returned to athletics in April 1987. A few months later, she won a silver medal in the 200-meter sprint at the 1987 World Championships in Rome. She was ranked second in the world for the 200 meters that year.

Breaking World Records

Before the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials, Florence worked with her husband, Al Joyner, as her coach. She had been improving her times. In the first race of the 100-meter quarterfinals, she amazed everyone. She ran 100 meters in 10.49 seconds! This was a new world record, much faster than the old one.

During the trials, Flo-Jo ran the three fastest 100-meter times ever for a woman. She also set an American record in the 200-meter race. Her 100-meter world record was a huge improvement. It still stands today. There were some questions about the wind gauge during that race. It read 0.0 m/s, even though it was a windy day. But the record is still officially recognized.

After the Olympic trials, Flo-Jo changed coaches. She wanted more personal attention. She also wanted more sponsorship deals. Her husband, Al Joyner, became her full-time coach.

Olympic Glory in Seoul

At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Flo-Jo was a big favorite. In the 100-meter final, she ran 10.54 seconds. She beat her closest rival by a lot. In the 200-meter semifinal, she set another world record of 21.56 seconds. Then, in the final, she broke that record again with a time of 21.34 seconds. This 200-meter world record also still stands today.

Flo-Jo also ran in the 4 × 100 m and 4 × 400 m relay races. Her team won the 4 × 100 m relay gold medal. They finished second in the 4 × 400 m relay, earning a silver medal. She left the games with four Olympic medals: three gold and one silver. This was one of the best performances ever by a female track and field athlete.

In February 1989, Flo-Jo announced she was retiring from racing. She wanted to explore new business opportunities. The next month, she won the James E. Sullivan Award. This award goes to the top amateur athlete in the United States.

Life After Running

Flo-Jo's success at the 1988 Olympics opened many doors for her. She earned a lot of money from endorsement deals. She even signed a deal for a Barbie-like doll made in her image.

She also used her talents in other ways. She designed basketball uniforms for the Indiana Pacers NBA team in 1989. She was a co-chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness. Flo-Jo also made guest appearances on TV shows like 227 and Santa Barbara.

In 1996, Flo-Jo announced she would try to come back to competitive running. She wanted to focus on the 400-meter race. Her goal was to set a world record in that event too. But tendonitis in her leg stopped her comeback attempt.

Flo-Jo's Unique Style

Beyond her amazing running, Florence Griffith Joyner was famous for her bold fashion choices. At the 1987 World Championships, she wore a hooded speed skating bodysuit. In 1988, she started wearing her signature "one-legger" running suit. This suit had one leg extending to the ankle and the other cut short. Her suits were bright colors like lime green or purple. They often had lightning bolts.

Her long, decorated nails also got a lot of attention. At the 1988 Olympic trials, her nails were four inches long with tiger stripes. For the Olympics, they were six inches long and painted red, white, blue, and gold. Even though many sprinters avoid accessories, Flo-Jo kept her hair long and wore jewelry while competing. She designed many of her own outfits. She loved looks that were not typical.

Personal Life

Florence's family nickname was "Dee Dee." In 1987, she married Al Joyner. He was the 1984 Olympic triple jump champion. Through her marriage, she became the sister-in-law of famous track and field athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Florence and Al had one daughter together, Mary Ruth Joyner, born in 1990.

Legacy

USA Track & Field added Florence Griffith Joyner to its Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2000, a school in Los Angeles was renamed Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School. She had attended that school as a child. The city of Mission Viejo also named a park after her.

Flo-Jo was also an artist and painter. Her artwork has been shown as part of the Art of The Olympians. She was named woman of the year for 1988 by Time magazine.

Statistics and Records

Florence Griffith Joyner's 1988 world and Olympic record in the 200-meter race (21.34 seconds) still stands. Her 100-meter world record (10.49 seconds) also remains unbroken. This makes them the longest-standing sprinting records in track and field history. Her 100-meter Olympic record (10.62) was broken in 2021 by Elaine Thompson-Herah.

Olympic Games and Trials Results

International Competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Time	Notes
1983	World Championships	Helsinki	4th	200 m	22.46	wind +1.5

Season's Bests

See also

• List of world records in athletics
• Yelena Isinbayeva