Tuesday. September 22. 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 5
Track star 'FloJo' dies
Heart seizure appears to be cause of death
The Associated Press
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. — Florence Griffith Joyner, triple gold medalist at the 1988 Olympics who captivated the world with her speed and flamboyant style, died yesterday of an apparent heart seizure. She was 38.
From the White House to fellow track stars, the spinner known as "FloJo" was remembered a decade after she turned the women's sprints at the Seoul
Games into a personal showcase.
"We were dazed by her speed, humbled by her talent and captivated by her style." President Clinton said.
Griffith Joyner was the wife of 1984 Olympic triple-jump gold medalist Al Joyner and the sister-in-law of Jockie, Joyner
Griffith Joyner: Passed away at age 38.
Kersee, the six-time Olympic medalist.
The Orange County sheriff's office said a 911 call was received early yesterday from Al Joyner, who reported that his wife was "unresponsive and not breathing."
She passed away during the night. An autopsy is scheduled. Griffith Joyner had suffered a heart seizure two years ago on a flight to St. Louis.
Primo Nebioli, head of the IAAF, track's international federation, said Griffith Joyner had heart problems recently but the news was a shock.
"I will never forget this extraordinary athlete who stunned the world in Seoul 10 years ago with her amazing sprints and spectacular outfits." Nebilo said.
Griffith Joyner holds world records in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. She set the 100-meter mark of 10.49 seconds at the 1988 Olympic trials and no one has broken even 10.60. At Seoul, she won the gold medal with a wind-aided 10.54 seconds.
She smashed the world 200-meter
record in the Olympic final, clocking 21.34. Marion Jones, with a 21.62 at the World Cup in South Africa earlier this month, is the only other woman to run the 200 in less than 21.70.
Griffith Joyner won a gold medal in the 400-meter relay and just missed a fourth gold medal when the U.S. team finished second in the 1,600-meter relay, which Griffith Joyner anchored.
"FloJo" dazzled fans with her colorful body suits and 6-inch decorated fingernails.
"What Florence brought to track was a flash and a flair we didn't have, which was probably good for the sport and got attention for us," said Evelyn Ashford, who competed with Griffith Joyner in the 1980s.
Griffith Joyner also displayed a muscular physique, which prompted talk of steroid use. She insisted that she never used performance enhancers, and she never failed a drug test.
Once she wore an eye-catching outfit that was a purple body suit with a turquoise bikini brief over it but with nothing on her left leg, a design she referred to as "a one-legged."
At the Olympics, she painted three of her fingerprints red, white and blue, and she painted a fourth one gold to signify her goal.
At the 1987 World Championships in Rome, she ran the first two rounds in a skin-tight suit similar to a speed skater's toes.
But her health was a concern.
In 1996, she suffered a seizure on an airplane flight from California to St. Louis. She was hospitalized one day, and the family requested no details be released. Griffith Joyner was en route to the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Relays for high schoolers.
"We lost one of the great track and field athletes in history," said Greg Foster, the three-time world champion in the 110-meter hurdles. "She's going to be missed. It's definitely a shock, a great loss."
After retiring from track in the wake of the Seoul Games, she served as cochairwoman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness. She also began designing and modeling clothes and working with children.
Griffith Joyner was born Dec. 21, 1969 in south Los Angeles, one of 11 children whose father was an electrical technician and whose mother was a teacher.
She married Al Joyner Oct. 10, 1967.
Funeral arrangements were not announced.
She married Al Joyner Oct. 10, 1987.
"We were dazzled by her speed, humbled by her talent, and captivated by her style."
Bill Clinton President
"I will never forget this extraordinary athlete who stunned the world in Seoul 10 years ago with her amazing sprints and spectacular outfits. Sadly, her life has passed as rapidly as her races."
Primo Nebiolo IAAF president
"We lost one of the great track and field athletes in history. She's going to be missed. It's definitely a shock, a great loss."
Greg Foster Champion hurdler
"What Florence brought to track was a flash and a flair we didn't have, which was probably good for the sport and got attention for us."
Evelyn Ashford 1984 olympic sprint champion
Please, recycle your Kansan
Immigration NOW!
New Law Benefit! Do You Quality?
Professional Work Visits • Employee Residence
• Athletic Stations • Employment Advice • Witness
• Health Care • Family Care • Green CARES • All Immigration Workshops
Employers: 1. HELP • EXEC. TRANSFERS
(956) 348-7200
IMMIGRATION LAW CLINIC
2023 Bell, Rt. 202, N. Kansas City, MN 64114 USA
Immigrate Today! Free Classes!
Fax Trea Free (USA) 2023 - FAX (USA) 411-212-1244
Worker Compensation Personal Help Emergency Help Team
City This and That
Move To Help Help
We Buy, Sell, Trade & Consign 841-PLAY USED & New Sports Equipment 1029 Massachusetts
TUESDAY AT HENRY T'S MEANS
ROCKS & RIBS
READ THIS AD!
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
INTERNATIONAL EXPO
Saturday, September 26, 1998 * 9:00AM - 3:30PM Kansas City Convention Hall, Hall D & E
and Business Opportunities
>Over 200 exhibitors including Fortune 500, Government, International, and Small Businesses.
>Entertainment & Personalities Featuring Baseball Great Orlando Cepeda, the Barrio Boyzz, Jav Perez, Mariachi Campanas de America, Ballet Folklorico Atotonilco, and Brillante
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9:00AM Autograph and photo opportunities with Orlando Cepeda Mariachi Campanas de America and Ballet Atotonilco
11:00AM Autograph and photo opportunities with Barrio Boyzz
11:30AM International Expo Concert
2:00AM Autograph and photo opportunities with Barrio Boyzz and Jay
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Prize Drawings including Marriot Hotel Stays,
Disney World Admission Passes, and more
FREE ADMISSION TO ALL EXPO EVENTS
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!
More Information Call Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City at 1-800-370-2434 or
816-472-6767
When something is too extreme for words, it's to the Nth degree. And that's the level of technology you'll experience at Raytheon.
Raytheon has formed a new technological superpower - Raytheon Systems Company, composed of four major technological giants: Raytheon Electronic Systems, Raytheon E-Systems, Raytheon TI Systems and Hughes Aircraft. The new Raytheon Systems Company is driving technology to the limit. And we're looking for engineers who want to push the envelope. Break new ground. Make their mark.
At Raytheon, you'll take technology—and your career—to the highest possible level. You'll take it to the Nth. We'll be visiting your campus soon. Contact your career placement office now to schedule an interview, or check out our website at www-rayjobs.com. If you are unable to meet with us, please send your resume to: Raytheon Resume Processing Center, PO. Box 660246, MS-201, Dallas, TX 75266. We have many exciting opportunities available and we can talk to you.
Internet: www.rayjobs.com • E-mail: resume@rayjobs.com U.S. citizenship may be required. We are an equal opportunity employer.
MALL'S BARBER SHOP
Raytheon