Jackie

Jacqueline Joyner-Kersee

By: Melanie Hawkins

AN INTRO TO JACKIE

On March 3,1962, a beautiful baby girl was born. Her name was Jacqueline Joyner. She was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, in a poor neighborhood with a brother, Alphonzo Joyner. He was born on January 19, 1960. Both brother and sister are Olympic champions. Alphonzo is married to (Delorez) Florence Griffith Joyner (aka Flo-Jo). Flo-Jo is also a Olympic champion.

Jacqueline (aka Jackie) has been a runner her entire life, but she really demonstrated her talents in high school. This was shown in the many athletic events she participated in. She also was very active at UCLA, the university she attended. At UCLA, she made two collegiate records (1982 & 1983).

AN ACHIEVER

Jackie has won several awards. Most of them are for her heptathlete and long jump achievements. In 1985, she made a world record in the long jump, and the Track and Field News ranked her second in the world. In July, of 1986, Jackie traveled to Moscow and made another world record. This time in the multi-event heptathethon. She also became the first to ever score over seven thousand points. In 1987, she won gold medals in each event at the World Championships. In 1988 she did the same thing in the Olympic games. In 1992 she won another gold medal in the heptathlete. She holds the heptathlon world record, 7,192 points, and also held a long-jump world record. Another award given to this talented female is the 1986 Sullivan Award for being the nations finest amateur athlete. McDonalds has also given her the honor for the Amateur Athlete of the Year.

MORE THAN SPORTS

Jackie is not only a sports hero, she is also a role model. That is, a role model for everybody. As stated before , she grew up in a poor neighborhood. But, she still strived for the best and now she is very successful. She continues to help her community even though she is out. Jackie speaks in public on drugs, sex, she loves children,too.

FUTURE PLANS

At 34, her future plans are to start a family with her husband and coach, Bob Kersee. She also plans to enjoy the chance to participate at the Olympics in Atlanta. She wants to bring home a victory. JACKIE JOYNER - KERSEE will always have a place in the history books.

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