Florence Griffith Joyner

Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as "Flo Jo," born on December 21, 1959 in Los Angeles, California. At the 1984 Summer Olympics, Joyner won a silver medal in the 200-meter run. Joyner died unexpectedly in September 1998, at age 38, after suffering an epileptic seizure. She still holds the world records in the 100 and 200 meters.

Florence was born Florence Delorez Griffith and went on to become one of the fastest competitive runners of our time. She began running at the age of 7, and her gift for speed soon became apparent. At the age of 14, she won the Jesse Owens National Youth Games. She later competed for Jordan High School, where she served as the anchor on the relay team, and then went on to race at the college level.

After attending California State University at Northridge, Joyner transferred to UCLA, where she quickly earned a reputation as a track star. In 1982, she became NCAA champion with a victory in the 200-meter event. The following year, she won the 400 meter event.

Her Olympic debut in 1984, at the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, she won a silver medal in the 200-meter run, and became known for her speed, bodysuits and fingernails. Later in 1987, she married fellow athlete Al Joyner, the brother of famed athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

After taking a break from 1984 Olympics, She came back to Soul Olympics and took home three gold medals, in the 4-by-100 meter relay, the 100, 200 meter runs; and silver medal in the 4 by 400 meter relay.

She was named The Associated Press' "Female Athlete of the Year" and Track and Field magazine's "Athlete of the Year." Florence also won the Sullivan Award for best amateur athlete.

After the 1988 Olympics, Joyner retired from competition. Suspicions soon arose regarding how the so-called "world's fastest woman" achieved her victories.