The greatest female athlete of the 20th century, Jackie
Joyner-Kersee grew up in East St. Louis and was a two-sport All-American at Lincoln
High. She won six Olympic medals, including two golds and a silver in the grueling
heptathlon. Battling asthma and injury throughout her career, she won her last long
jump medal in 1996 with a heroic final leap. She moved back to the metro area and
in 2000 opened her most prized accomplishment – a youth center bearing her name – in
East St. Louis. An inspiration to women around the world, Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s
incomparable excellence and dedication elevated the stature of women’s sport.
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Jackie Joyner-Kersee accepted her award. |
Location of Stars
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ACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE