Since 1988, Jackie Joyner-Kersee has held the world heptathlon record of 7,291 points, a benchmark of performance in multi-disciplinary track and field. Born in 1962 in East St. Louis, she emerged from a community sports program to achieve global recognition, eventually securing six Olympic medals across four separate appearances while simultaneously pursuing a competitive career in collegiate and professional basketball.
Collegiate Athletics and Basketball at UCLA
Between 1980 and 1985, Joyner-Kersee attended the University of California, Los Angeles on an athletic scholarship. She balanced participation in track and field with basketball, serving as a starter at forward for four seasons. Her collegiate basketball career included scoring 1,167 points, placing her 19th all-time for the Bruins. In 1985, she earned the Honda-Broderick Cup for excellence in collegiate athletics and graduated with a history degree in 1986.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Olympic and International Performance
Joyner-Kersee made her Olympic debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, earning a silver medal in the heptathlon. Four years later, at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, she won gold medals in both the heptathlon and long jump, setting a world record in the former. She added a second heptathlon gold at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and secured a bronze in the long jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta despite suffering a hamstring injury.
Professional Basketball and Later Competition
In 1996, Joyner-Kersee signed with the Richmond Rage of the American Basketball League, playing in 17 games with a scoring high of 15 points. She returned to track competition to win the heptathlon at the 1998 Goodwill Games. Her final major competitive attempt occurred at the 2000 Olympic trials in Sydney, where she placed sixth in the long jump and failed to qualify for the team.
Philanthropy and Recognition
Following her athletic career, Joyner-Kersee focused on philanthropic efforts related to children's education, racial equality, and women's rights. She established the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in East St. Louis and co-founded Athletes for Hope in 2007. Her career has been marked by honors including the Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 1987, the Order of Lincoln in 2005, and honorary degrees from Spelman College.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, East St. Louis, United States
- Education: University of California, Los Angeles (1980-1985)
- Heptathlon World Record: 7,291 points (set 1988)
- Olympic Medals: 3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
- Professional Basketball Team: Richmond Rage (1996)
- Awards: James E. Sullivan Award (1986)
- Philanthropic Organizations: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, Athletes for Hope
Questions readers ask
How many Olympic medals did Jackie Joyner-Kersee win?
She won six Olympic medals: three gold, one silver, and two bronze across four Olympic Games.
Did she play professional basketball?
Yes, she played 17 games for the Richmond Rage of the American Basketball League in 1996.
Achievements
- Associated Press Athlete of the Year
- Track & Field News Athlete of the Year
- Order of Lincoln
- Competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics
