The 10.49-second world record set in the 100-meter sprint during the 1988 U.S. Olympic trials remains the largest single improvement in the event's history since the inception of electronic timing. Florence Griffith Joyner, known to the public as Flo-Jo, emerged from these trials as a global sports figure, distinguished by her sprinting dominance and unique aesthetic choices.
Early Development and Education
Born in 1959 in Los Angeles, Florence Delorez Griffith was one of eleven children. Her early athletic training began with the Sugar Ray Robinson Organization during her elementary school years. She attended Jordan High School, where she established school records in both sprinting and the long jump. She later pursued higher education at California State University, Northridge, and the University of California, Los Angeles, eventually earning a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1983.
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Under the guidance of coach Bob Kersee, Griffith competed at the collegiate level, winning a national championship during her first year. Financial constraints momentarily forced her to leave school for work as a bank teller, but she eventually returned to track under Kersee at UCLA. She qualified for the 1980 Olympic trials, though she did not compete in the Games due to the United States boycott. Her Olympic debut occurred in 1984, where she secured a silver medal in the 200-meter sprint in Los Angeles.
The 1988 Olympic Performance
Following a period of part-time training and a brief return to the workforce, Griffith Joyner experienced a significant surge in performance during 1988. At the U.S. Olympic trials, she set the 100-meter world record of 10.49 seconds, alongside an American record in the 200-meter sprint. Her performance in the 100-meter quarterfinals remains a subject of technical scrutiny due to evidence of an illegal tailwind, though it is recognized as a world record by the IAAF. She concluded her competitive career in 1989.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, Los Angeles
- Died: 1998, Mission Viejo
- Education: University of California, Los Angeles
- 1984 Olympic Result: Silver medal, 200-meter
- 1988 Awards: Associated Press Athlete of the Year
- Burial Site: El Toro Memorial Park
Questions readers ask
What caused the death of Florence Griffith Joyner?
She died in her sleep in 1998 at age 38 due to an epileptic seizure caused by a birth defect.
Did she win gold medals at the 1988 Olympics?
Yes, she won three gold medals at the 1988 Olympic Games.
Achievements
- Associated Press Athlete of the Year
- L'Équipe Champion of Champions
- Competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics
