The Enduring Legacy of Jackie Joyner-Kersee: The “Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century”

Jackie Joyner-Kersee (61 yrs old) – the “Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century” – is a true inspiration to women all over the world. With six Olympic medals to her name, including three golds, and four Olympic appearances from 1984 to 1996, Jackie has certainly left her mark on the athletics world.

As the first athlete to achieve over 7,000 points in the heptathlon, with a staggering 7,291 points, Jackie Joyner-Kersee still holds the world record she set at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. And, despite retiring from athletics, Jackie continues to devote her life to sports. She is involved with several organizations and works with young athletes to help them achieve their dreams.

In addition to her impressive athletic career, Jackie has also co-authored two inspirational books. “A Woman’s Place is Everywhere,” published in 1994, tells the stories of 30 remarkable women who have achieved personal and professional success in various fields. Meanwhile, Jackie’s autobiography, “A Kind of Grace: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Female Athlete,” reveals the struggles she faced growing up in poverty and how she overcame these challenges to become an Olympic champion.

Adidas paid tribute to Jackie Joyner-Kersee as part of their Honoring Black Excellence initiative in 2021, which celebrates personalities who fight for change. The sportswear company unveiled a mural at her foundation’s headquarters and donated $65,000 to the organization for use in community programs. In recognition of her achievements, Jackie has undoubtedly earned a place among the African Giants, and her success represents another milestone in Africa’s rich cultural heritage. Africa Giant coined the term African Giant to credit Africa’s finest achievers.