Griffith Joyner, Florence (1959-1998), was a famous American track and field star. She holds the 100-meter and 200-meter world records and won three gold medals in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. Griffith Joyner’s one-legged competition outfits and long, colorful fingernails also drew wide attention. She became known by the nickname “Flo-Jo.”
Florence Delorez Griffith was born in Los Angeles on Dec. 21, 1959. While attending the University of California at Los Angeles, she won the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in the 200-meter race in 1982 and the 400-meter race in 1983. She won a silver medal in the 200-meter race at the 1984 Olympic Games, held in Los Angeles. In 1987, she married the American track and field star Al Joyner.
In July 1988, Griffith Joyner set a world record in the 100-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her time of 10.49 seconds stands as the fastest in the history of women’s racing. At the 1988 Olympic Games, she won gold medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter races. She set a world record in the 200 meters. Her time of 21.34 seconds remains a record. Griffith Joyner also won a gold medal as a member of the American 400-meter relay team and a silver medal as a member of the 1,600-meter relay team.
Griffith Joyner retired from competition after the 1988 Olympics and began a career modeling and designing clothing. She died on Sept. 21, 1998.
