Athlete's legacy remains

Florence Griffith Joyner's death on Monday morning came as a shock to many fans, but her legacy still lives on.

Joyner was once considered the fastest woman on the planet. After her silver medal performance in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Joyner stunned the world audience four years later by setting two world records and achieving three gold medals in the 1988 Seoul games.

Coached and trained by ex-Long Beach State coach Bobby Kersey, Joyner's 100-meter world-record mark of 10.49 seconds and 200-meter mark of 21.34 seconds has never been duplicated.

But her effect on track and field and the sports world goes beyond running between two white lines at lightning speed.

Joyner introduced track and field to the world. Her 1988 performance and unique style of bodysuits and 6-inch finger nails had television studios and sponsors scrambling for a piece of "FloJo."

Joyner became an instant superstar, appearing on countless magazine covers and TV commercials.

Her name appeared on billboards nationwide, and young girls trampled the shelves for the "FloJo" doll.

The Olympics would never be the same. She brought track and field into the national forefront. Dreams of running for a living became a reality for many young rising stars. Joyner laid the track for those who would follow her footsteps.

Jimmy Chai is a journalism major at CSULB.