This is, of course, the famous athlete, the beauty Florence Griffith Joyner. She won the hearts of millions of viewers and viewers. Three-time Olympic mega champion in running.
The unique world records of the fastest woman still haunt many. About the reasons for her such an unexpected departure from sports, then there are controversies from life now. Let us recall the most interesting facts of such a short but interesting life.
Florence Griffith Joyner - Biography
The star was born in Los Angeles in 1959, in the winter of December 21. Parents were ordinary workers, father Robert worked as an electrical engineer, mother as a seamstress. The family had 11 children, she was the seventh. Life as a child was difficult, but not poor.
Already from childhood, she was noticeably different in manners from her peers, she kept a diary. I learned to cut and sew clothes for myself early. She especially loved to do manicure and hair. She often trained with her friends and neighbors. I hardly watched TV, but read binge, preferred poetry.
She graduated from high school in 1978 and began attending Northridge University in California. Enrolled at another university in Los Angeles (UCLA). She became a certified psychologist. But the sport did not let her go, and the beauty began to engage in it professionally.
At the peak of fame, she left sports (1989). She joined the new composition of the Council for Culture. Everywhere promotes "clean" sports, writes books, designs clothes. In 1996, the world was again shocked by the unforgettable, fastest woman. She suddenly announced her imminent return to the sport. According to her, she was actively preparing for new records at 400 meters.
But on the plane, Florence had a heart attack, it was the result of a serious heart condition. On September 28, 1998, she died closer to noon. The cause of death is unknown. Presumably the woman died from sudden cardiac arrest.
Sports career Florence Griffith Joyner
It can be roughly divided into 2 stages: before the summer of 1988 and after. She easily overtook her rivals and won the qualifying competitions.
Set previously unprecedented world records:
- July 19 —100 meters in just 10.49 seconds;
- September 29 —200 meters in 21.35 seconds.
After 1988, nothing remarkable happened in her sports career.
The beginning of professional sports
At school, the physical education teacher singled her out from the rest of the students. He suggested running. And for good reason, she broke all records in running and jumping. The first coach was the famous American Bob Kersey. She participated in college and won the national student championship.
First achievements
In the beginning, the asset was bronze. The woman received a medal in 1983 in Los Angeles. The fourth came to the finish line (200 m).
She won silver at the 1984 Olympics. Athletes from other countries declared a boycott, did not come to the competition. Due to alleged doping.
At the World Running Championships in Rome (1987), she finished second.
Participation in the Olympic Games
Success in Seoul is not accidental. Florence was taken into account even then as a serious athlete. She declared herself to the whole world at the Pre-Olympic starts. True, she dropped 0.27 seconds there, but in the final she surpassed herself by 0.37 seconds.
In the track and field sprint in 1988, she won 3 gold:
- running 100 m;
- running 200 m;
- run 800 m - relay race 4x100 m.
In Korea, she set a world record at 200 meters - rushed in 21.34 seconds. Instantly became the favorite of the 1988 Olympics.
Doping charges
Over the course of a short career, the woman was more than once accused of doping. Especially in 1988, her unprecedented muscles and the results of the races aroused suspicion. Interestingly, her husband Al Joyner also got caught doping.
In 1989, she suddenly left the sport, while still at the height of fame. Death at less than 38 years old only added suspicion. Florence was officially checked in 1988 more than 10 times, but the woman did not fail not one test.
Even after her death, Florence is haunted. During the autopsy, they tried to test for steroids. But the attempt turned out to be a failure due to the lack of biological material. Therefore, it is impossible to accuse a fast woman of doping, this question will forever remain unanswered.
Personal life of Florence Griffith Joyner
On October 10, 1987, Florence married Olympic triple jump champion Al Joyner. His nickname was "Fresh water". We got married in Las Vegas. The procedure was quick, it took them no more than an hour to submit the papers and the wedding.
Al Joyner 1984 Olympic champion. Al is vain, courteous. The fastest woman in the world always said about her husband something like this: "The more we live together, the more we understand that this is my half." He helped Florence show her talents. The beauty showed the best results under the strict guidance of her husband.
Style icon in sports
The fastest woman in the world wore extravagant hairstyles and outfits. She has always stood out for her special, unique style. Therefore, people remembered in two directions at once as the fastest woman. Reporters deservedly called her a style icon.
A woman came out on the path with unusual makeup, hair. She often wore a uniform of unusual cut. In Indianapolis, for example, I wore a purple jumpsuit. It is noteworthy that he covered one leg, the other remained naked.
After this, various tempting offers from well-known modeling agencies and advertisers began to come to Florence. The girl signed multiple contracts, was the face of many famous sports brands. For the non-glamorous athletics of the time, this was something unprecedented.
The world records set by Florence in 1998 are still shaking the human mind. It is impossible to understand how an ordinary person, a woman, can run 100 meters in just 10.49 fractions of seconds. The result is truly phenomenal.
Since the death of the fastest woman, more than one generation of athletes has changed. Nobody even came close to its fantastic results. The woman's records will most likely remain immortal, for centuries!
