Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is an American retired track and field athlete, ranked among the all-time greatest athletes in the heptathlon as well as long jump.

She won three gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals, in those two events at four different Olympic Games. Sports Illustrated for Women magazine voted Joyner-Kersee the Greatest Female Athlete of All-Time.

Date of birth:
3rd March, 1962
"There are many women who came before me who didn’t really have the same opportunities that I have had. That’s why I always wanted to be a great ambassador – not only today’s generation – but for the women who really didn’t have a voice, but who paved the way for me."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Women
"All I ever wanted really, and continue to want out of life, is to give 100 percent to whatever I’m doing and to be committed to whatever I’m doing and then let the results speak for themselves. Also to never take myself or people for granted and always be thankful and grateful to the people who helped me."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Thankful
"We live in a world where sports have the potential to bridge the gap between racism, sexism and discrimination. The 2012 Olympic Games was a great start but hopefully what these games taught us is that if women are given an opportunity on an equal playing field the possibilities for women are endless."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Sports
"Competing in both track and field and basketball for the Bruins I have a lot of great memories to choose from. But my all-time favorite moment in collegiate sports has to be in 1982 when we won UCLA’s first NCAA title in track."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Sports
"When I was in elementary school, we weren’t allowed to do sports other than cheerleading. By junior high, they let us play, but we had to come back after 6:30 p.m. to practice because there was only one gymnasium and the boys used it first."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Sports
"Growing up in the time of Title IX – it was passed when I was 10 – I got a front-row seat to so many great moments in women’s sports. Of course I didn’t know it at the time."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Sports
"The 2012 London Olympic Games fostered a generation of hope. I witnessed women participating for the very first time, representing every nation."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Hope
"The London games mark the 24th anniversary of my winning two golds and setting the world record in the heptathlon. Someone is going to want it; records are made to be broken – it’s only a matter of time. I hope mine will outlive me."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Hope
"When I started competing, you had to have your coach there. Now you can be coached from a home office via Skype or video. That’s not the same as having them on the field with you."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): Home
"As you grow older and young people come up to you with their history books, you realize that some of the things I have been able to do have been impactful. But for me, I try to keep everything in perspective and stay humble."
― Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Topic(s): History

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