Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Biography

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is widely considered the greatest female athlete of all time, a heptathlete and long jumper who could have won Olympic gold in either event separately. Her heptathlon world record of 7,291 points has stood since 1988, untouchable across generations of multi-eventers. Three Olympic golds across four Games, plus world championship dominance, established her supremacy. She combined explosive speed with endurance, strength with technique, excelling in all seven events when most heptathletes have obvious weaknesses. Sports Illustrated named her the Female Athlete of the 20th Century - and they might have been underselling her.

Career Highlights

• 3 Olympic gold medals
• Heptathlon WR 7,291 points (still stands)
• 4 consecutive World Championship golds
• Also world class in long jump
• Sports Illustrated Female Athlete of 20th Century

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