Joyner-Kersee was born on March 3, 1962 in East St. Louis. She has been hailed as one of the world’s greatest athletes of all time. She is the holder of three Olympic gold medals, one silver, and two bronze. This makes her the most decorated female athlete in track and field history. 

Joyner-Kersee was a star at a young age. In high school she won several awards, and set the Illinois women’s high school long-jump record. After high school she attended UCLA on a full-ride scholarship, and began training for the Olympics.

Her reputation as one of the world’s greatest athletes is well deserved. In 1988 she set four world records in the heptathlon, an Olympic track-and-field competition that consists of seven separate events.

Learn more:
Official website of Jackie Joyner-Kersee