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
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 (1959-12-21)December 21, 1959[2] Los Angeles, California, U.S.[2]
Died	September 21, 1998(1998-09-21) (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 Representing the  United States Olympic Games 1988 Seoul 100 m 1988 Seoul 200 m 1988 Seoul 4×100 m 1984 Los Angeles 200 m 1988 Seoul 4×400 m World Championships 1987 Rome 4×100 m 1987 Rome 200 m

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.