Flo-Jo's Record-Breaking Career

September 21, 2024

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👋 Hey, Speedsters!

Hey Speedsters!

September 21— today isn't just any other day. It's when Al Joyner believed God was walking through his garden and wanted the prettiest, the brightest, and the loveliest flower in the world... 26 years ago on this date, the sport lost one of its finest gems— Florence Griffith Joyner, whose sudden demise ached many hearts. But, she left behind a timeless legacy, and our special edition dedicated to her reflects just that.

In our previous newsletter, we covered the latest word on the track and field street, including, who's running for the International Olympic Committee president. But in this ode to the late Flo-Jo on her death anniversary, we'll reminisce some of her most iconic career moments and her trailblazing fashion, as we honor this day in her memory.

So let’s dive in!

📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I believe in the impossible because no one else does, and that gives me an excellent chance at accomplishing it!”

— Florence Griffith Joyner

In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from Flo-Jo’s universe:

🏆 Ground-breaking Achievements!

💅🏻 Redefining Athletic Fashion

🫡 Lasting Influence on Women's Sports

💖 Tributes and Memories from Athletes and Fans

🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️ SPRINT STORIES

Flo-Jo's Record-Breaking Career

Spotting Flo-Jo’s talent? Oh, that was a no-brainer in high school. But it was at UCLA where her start truly started to rise. By the time 1984 rolled out, she was already making waves—an Olympic silver in the 200m at the Los Angeles Games! Yet, a momentary doubt crept in and threw her off the tracks to work a 9 to 5 in a bank for a while, but her comeback was greeted with a silver at the Worlds in 1987.

Then came 1988, and this is where her story gets unreal! Not only she vied for a spot on America's Olympic contingent at the U.S. Trials in Indianapolis, her 10.49-second (0.0 wind) 100m sprint in the quarterfinals left her with much more— a world record! Interestingly, not one, but multiple followed in quick succession, as her next 2 sprints— 10.70s in the semi-finals and 10.61s in the finale, were the top 3 fastest 100m timings ever!

Fast forward to the 1988 Seoul Games. Imagine, being so far ahead of her contemporaries that at 90 meters, she threw her hands up in the air and blazed to a 10.54 Olympic record in the 100m sprint! But, more history awaited her. Just 4 days later, she stole the spotlight in the 200m event, lowering the world record to 21.34 seconds. And to seal the deal, she racked the 4x100m gold and the 4x400m silver too.

But it wasn’t just her speed. It was her style, her six-inch nails, and her unshakable confidence. And 36 years later, those records still stand, untouched! That’s who she was! Sure there were allegations of her using performance enhancers, but Flo-Jo always prided her career on having a clean slate.

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Which Flo-Jo Record Do You Think Will Be Broken First?

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Last Poll’s Result: Well, our last poll’s response was unanimous! 100% of you have experienced the thrill of watching a track and field event live! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ How amazing is that? And the best part? You all absolutely loved it! Whether it was the rush of the races, the excitement of the crowd, or those unforgettable moments at the finish line, it seems we share a passion for this incredible sport.

 🔦 SPOTLIGHT

Flo-Jo: The Fashion Icon!

Identifying Flo-Jo even in a stacked lineup was a no-brainer, for her bold fashion choices and style were a cut above the rest and ahead of the time. A trailblazer, who else was rocking one-legged spandex bodysuits, voluminous hair curls (that would fly every time she sprinted), multicolored nail art, or even a red lip in the 1980s, but Flo-Jo? For her, these reflected her personality, "I like to be unconventional" as she would put it. And well she was!

Flo-Jo wasn’t just breaking records, she was breaking fashion norms too! Her tracksuits? Pure art! Leotard-inspired, glistening with lace, shimmer, and sometimes with a dash of jewellery—she made sure all eyes were on her! Remember her all-white lace tracksuit from Adidas, the one she wore at the 1988 Trials? It was truly the first of its kind. It wasn’t just about style for her. Flo-Jo believed dressing up made her faster. But, to a younger Flo-Jo, these would mean just following the passion that started brewing when she would wear two different colored socks to school or design her track uniform. Fashion was in her DNA!

Even when she retired from the sport in 1989, fashion never left her. She took her creativity to the NBA, and designed uniforms for the Indiana Pacers, the 90s collection being named after her, as the 'Flo-Jos.' Her influence in basketball ran so deep, that when LeBron James was seen with one leg of his shorts rolled up during practice, Flo-Jo fans called it a recreation moment!

And her impact didn’t stop there. Just take a look at today’s athletes—Sha'Carri Richardson comes to mind who carries on Flo-Jo’s legacy—walking in her footsteps with bold looks and fearless confidence! Flo-Jo’s style wasn’t just a part of her—it was a movement!

📽️ VIDEO VAULT

Flo-Jo's HGH Allegations: Autopsy Shocker!

Flo-Jo’s claims of never having used steroids come under speculation after a fellow American athlete confesses, 'She asked him to buy HGH on her request.’ Did she pass away at 38 because of its potential side effects? What came out in the Autopsy will surprise you!

👣 FOOTPRINTS

Flo Jo's Legacy and Impact on Women's Sports

A summary might fall short for this segment, as Florence Griffith Joyner has made a world of difference. Several celebrities got inspired by her fashion, like Serena Williams who donned a one-legged catsuit at the Australian Open, or pop-star Beyonce who dressed up as Flo-Jo for Halloween. Also, contemporary track fans cannot look at Sha'Carri Richardson and not see a Flo-Jo influence. Thus, Jackie Joyner Kersee, who was also FloJo's sister-in-law hailed her for transcending the sport, "She took track and field off of the sports page and onto the front page." 

Especially, for women of color, Flo-Jo was a 'she-ro.' Cieja Springer, a style expert stated how every black woman who wouldn't normally see nail art outside of magazines or their neighborhoods could turn on the TV and see Flo-Jo sporting them. In fact, she touched the heights of stardom that no black women athlete had achieved then, appearing in Coca-Cola and Mitshubishi endorsements, on the Santa Barbara soap opera, and even having a FloJo Barbie doll rolled out after her. While commercials or modeling stints may be more common today, back then, it was Flo-Jo was a trendsetter who set the benchmark of success when track and field was also under-monetized.

Her influence has sped past track and field, straight into popular culture and that was discernable, Given which, President Bill Clinton named her co-chairwoman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. But for hardcore track and field fans, FloJo has been unforgettable for her athletic abilities. Inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1995, her world records sit proudly in an uncharted land. Although Jamaican phenom Elaine Thompson-Herah hovered as close as 10.54 seconds, no one but Flo-Jo has gone a sub-10.5s 100m timing. And while many pitch Sha'Carri Richardson as a possible contender, she hasn't come closer than 10.65 seconds.

🫡 TRIBUTE TO

Personal Tributes From Fellow Athletes and Fans

The news of Flo-Jo’s passing in 1998, taken suddenly by an epileptic seizure in her sleep, felt like a shockwave to the track and field world. It was a moment of disbelief—a legend gone too soon, leaving behind a void too vast to comprehend. The pain was raw, the loss unthinkable. But as the years have passed, something beautiful has emerged. Instead of sorrow, it’s the love, the admiration, and the endless respect for Flo-Jo that have stayed, keeping her memory alive in the hearts of so many.

Serena Williams was one of the first to share her heartbreak, offering a tender confession. "I was inspired by Flo-Jo, who was a wonderful track athlete, an amazing athlete when I was growing up," she said.  Flo-Jo wasn’t just an icon on the track—she was a beacon of inspiration and Jordan Chiles, the American gymnast echoed this sentiment. "She was always known for having long nails. So I thought: 'Okay, if she was able to do that on track, why can't we do that in other sports? Why can't I do that with gymnastics?" Clearly, the late legend set a new standard for generations to follow.

Flo-Jo’s family, especially her daughter Mary Ruth Joyner, who was just 7, when she lost her mother, has found a way to celebrate her life! A mother herself, Mary is working on a new project, a documentary called, "Flo-Jo: A Daughter's Love," encapsulating her career and life feats, as an ode to her legendary mom. While Al Joyner believes, "Every time you see a woman in the 100 or 200 meters with makeup and nails, that's Florence, Joyner." That's the indelible legacy she has left behind!

And for the fans? The love never fades. Just months ago, on the anniversary of Flo-Jo’s unbroken 100m world record, fans took to social media, flooding timelines with heartfelt tributes. One wrote, "What a magnificent woman and athlete. Pure poetry in motion!" Another declared, "Queen of track. Rest in Peace. We miss you!" It’s moments like these that remind us all—Flo-Jo may no longer be here, but her impact is timeless. She was more than just a sprinter. She was a force of nature, a symbol of grace and power, and her spirit lives on in every track she touched.

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

  1. Influenced by Flo-Jo, Sha’Carri Richardson Responds to Snarky Remarks on Appearance - Full Story

  2. Sha’Carri Richardson Leaves Bold Message After Paris Olympics, Continuing FloJo’s Legacy - Full Story

  3. Flo-Jo’s Fashion Legacy Reaches Paris Olympics Through Noah Lyles’ Girlfriend - Full Story

  4. Tiara Williams Points Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Uncomfortable Position - Full Story

  5. Noah Lyles Praised for Iconic Fashion Sense, While 17-Year-Old Ryan Williams Faces Harsh Criticism - Full story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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