Jacqueline
“JACKIE” JOYNER-KERSEE
This American athlete’s name should
ring a bell. She’s won three gold, one silver and two bronze Olympic medals in
the course of four different Olympic Games. She’s ranked among the all-time
greatest athletes in women heptathlon as well as the women’s long jump. Her
name is Jackie Joyner-Kersee and she has since retired but joined the Board of
Directors for USA Track & Field (USATF).
Born in East St. Louis she attended
East St. Louis Senior High School and later starring in both track & field
and women’s basketball while attending the University of California at Los
Angeles. Throughout the years she has graced various sports pages, including
Sports Illustrated and honored with countless awards.
In 1986 Jackie married her track
coach Bob Kersee and two years later she founded the Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Foundation. It provides athletic lessons & resources to families giving
more attention to her hometown of East St. Louis.
At the 2000 track & field
competition Jackie took her final bow. In 2007 various athletes joined forces
and founded the ‘Athletes for Hope’. Muhammad Ali, Alonzo Mourning, Lance
Armstrong and Warrick Dunn are some athletes just to name a few.
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DID YOU KNOW? Jackie
had severe Asthma but was one of several athletes to overcome it.
For Black
History Month we like to Salute Jackie Joyner-Kersee for her contributions she
has given us.
Photo: Urban Crush
Photo: Urban Crush
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