Florence Griffith Joyner

Runner

Birthday December 21, 1959

Birth Sign Sagittarius

Birthplace Los Angeles, CA

DEATH DATE Sep 21, 1998 (38)

#18192 Most Popular

About

American track and field athlete best known for setting the world records for both the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints. She won three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics, as well as two silver medals. Fans occasionally refer to her as Flo-Jo. 

Before Fame

She had to drop out of college and become a bank teller when financial troubles embroiled her family.

Trivia

After setting a trial world record at the 1988 Olympics, rumors began to circulate that she was using performance enhancing drugs, but numerous tests disproved these claims.

Family Life

She was briefly engaged to Olympic hurdler Greg Foster. She had a daughter, Mary Ruth, with her husband Al Joyner.

Associated With

She and diver Greg Louganis were two of the stars at the 1988 Olympics.