Jackie Joyner- Kersee

Jackie Joyner-Kersee was one of twenty-nine women who prepared for the start of the seven-event heptathlon and September 23, 1988, the Seoul Olympics.  This event would go on for two days.  There were four events on the first day and three events on the second day.  The winner of these events would receive the title of “the finest all-around woman athlete in the world.”

Jackie was the favorite competitor and expected to win because she dominated the event in the two years preceding the Scout Games.  Jackie won those games nine consecutive times, both nationally and internationally.  What made her accomplishments seem more impressive was that she suffered from exercised-induced asthma!

          Jackie distinguished herself at the 1988 Seoul Games by breaking her own world records and capturing gold medals in the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump.  Four years later in Barcelona, she again won the heptathlon and took the silver in the long jump.

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