Copyright © 1997 by Jackie Joyner-Kersee
All rights reserved.
Warner Books, Inc., Hachette Book Group, 237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Visit our Web site at www.HachetteBookGroup.com
A Time Warner Company
First eBook Edition: July 1999
ISBN: 978-0-446-93027-7
The Warner Books name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Book design by Giorgetta Bell McRee
Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Preface
Prologue
1: My Roots
2: Momma and Daddy
3: Inspirations
4: One Kind of Grace
5: Seeking an Identity
6: My Guiding Light
7: A Consuming Passion
8: Championship Seasons
9: My Feminine Mystique
10: Painful Realities
11: A Motherless Child
12: Mourning
13: College Life
14: Frustration
15: Bobby
16: Back on Track
17: The Carnival
18: A Silver Lining
19: Baseball, Hot Dogs and a Proposal
20: Mr. and Mrs.
21: World's Best
22: Super Woman
23: Another Kind of Grace
24: Rejuvenation
25: Adored and Ignored
26: Asthma and Other Annoyances
27: Heike
28: Anointed
29: Human Relations
30: At Death's Door
31: The Lesson
32: Dear Momma
I dedicate this book to my mother, Mary Joyner, and my husband, Bobby. You are the two people I consider to be true friends. You both have been my strength when I was weak and a great source of light when times were dark. Because of you, I have developed into the person I am and I am able to do the things I do.
Momma, words cannot describe how much I miss seeing you, having our lengthy phone conversations that to me seemed timeless, and simply knowing that you were there for me. I never realized how much you taught me; and I am grateful that you gave me the gift of life. You told me to challenge myself and to be considerate of others. They are lessons I treasure. I love you and miss you dearly.
Bobby, my blessings and happiness have come from being married to you. Together, we shall move forward in life and face new challenges. You are my rock and my inspiration.
Acknowledgments
From Jackie Joyner-Kersee
There are so many people I want to thank and acknowledge for their support over the years.
To my many sponsors, GlaxoWellcome, Bob Ingram and Tim Tyson; Honda and Kiochi Amemiya; Nike and Phil Knight; Ray-Ban and Norm Sallk; McDonald's, Ken Barun, Jackie Woodward and Teddi Domann; and 7UP, John Albers and Warren Jackson. It was your commitment to me that paved my road to success. Thanks for sticking with me, whether I was healthy or injured.
To Elite Management: Thank you for securing corporate support and making life easier for me during the times I needed it most.
To my dad, Alfred: Thank you for providing us with shelter, food and lots of love.
To my siblings, Angie, Debra and Fret-fret: Our bonds will never be broken.
A special thanks to all of the people who played a significant role in my life as a young girl: George Ward, Tyrone Cavitt, Percy Harris, Puncho Hamilton, Big John and Tommy Dancy, Miss Mary Brown, Miss Wicks, Mr. Riggins, Miss Walker, Miss Theodora Ash Smith, Miss Gillispe, Miss Hopkins, Mr. McDonald, Glover, Miss Stamp, Michelle Farmer, Joyce Farmer McKinney, Betty Young, the Slack family, Calvin Brown, Alan, Art and Brooks Johnson, and all the men on the corner of 15th and Piggott.
To my friends in the sports and entertainment industry who have supported and encouraged me throughout my career: Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Cosby, Louis Gossett, Jr., Michael Jordan, Dawnn Lewis, Ozzie Smith, Dawn Staley, Susan Taylor, Chris Webber and Terrie Williams.
To three very special ladies who inspire me to be a great person: Ruth Owens, Rachel Robinson and Betty Shabazz.
To the members of my foundation who help me in my dream to come back to East St. Louis and give hope to young people: Henry Brown, Bill Boyle, David Dandurand, Anita DeFrantz, Dave Dorr, Herb Douglas, Christopher Edley, Phil and Connee Freeman, Noel Hankin, Jim Koman, Earl Lazerson, Ann Moore, Jim Orso, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Denise Williams, Russ Klein, Judson Pickard, Angela Roberson, Wayman Smith III and Judge Warton.
To Wallace and Debra Anderson: Thanks for allowing my sister and me to stay with you when we had no other place to go.
To Billie Moore, Dr. Judith Holland and Colleen Matsuhara: Thanks for recruiting me and making my dreams become reality.
To Coach Nino Fennoy: Thanks for being a great friend, mentor and dad. You are and always have been a great source of inspiration to me. I will always be in your debt for all of the support given over the years.
To Bob Forster and Dr. Rick Lehman: my career saviors. I owe a great deal of my injury-free years to your commitment and dedication.
To Dave Harris: Thanks for being there for me, and being a friend to the end to me and my husband, Bobby.
To my girlfriend Carmen: Thanks for being a friend, a sister and, sometimes, a mom. Our friendship is very special.
To Valerie Brisco: Thanks for letting me stay with you rent-free so that I could get my first car.
To Jeanette Bolden, Alice Brown, Sandra Farmer-Patrick, Flo-Jo and Gail Devers: I always believed we had a special connection that went beyond collecting medals. We are truly friends.
To Marie Kersee: I will always have a special spot in my heart for you because you always dropped whatever you were doing to help me. Thank you.
To Rhonda Harris: Even though you were only thirteen at the time, it was your and Sandra's encouragement at the 1993 World Championships that helped me stay strong through my illness.
To Joyce, Michelle and Percy: Thank you for helping Sonja and extending your “East St. Louis style” hospitality during her visit.
There isn't enough space to individually acknowledge each of the many contributors to this book. To all of those who assisted: Please know that in my heart I am grateful for your help.
Finally, to WILMA RUDOLPH: my hero, my friend, my idol. I miss you.
From Sonja Steptoe
Heartfelt thanks to:
My agent, Faith Hampton Childs, for her unwavering support and priceless wisdom.
My research assistant, Tracey Reavis, for her gold-medal reporting performance.
Photo editor Maxine Arthur Peacock for lending the picture collection her keen eye.
The Sports Illustrated library and computer operations departments for promptly answering my plaintive cries for help.
Nino Fennoy, Della Gray, Al Joyner and Joyce Farmer McKinney for supplying essential details and insights.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee's Athletic Record
1977: Wins Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics pentathlon, scoring 3,613 points
—national age group record
Wins 100-yard dash at AAU All-America City Relays
Wins 440-yard dash at AAU All-America City Relays
—meet record
Wins long jump at AAU All-America City Relays
—meet record
1978: Wins AAU Jr. Olympics pentathlon, scoring 3,817 points
—national age group record
Member of 1st place team at Illinois state high school track championship
—sets state girls' record in 440-yard dash, 56.75 seconds
—anchors winning mile-relay team
—
runner-up in long jump
Averages 16 points, 17 rebounds for Lincoln High girls' basketball team
St. Louis Globe-Democrat Girl Athlete of the Year
1979: Wins AAU Jr. Olympics pentathlon, scoring 3,953 points
—national age group record
Wins AAU Jr. Olympics long jump, 20′ 8″
—national age group record
Wins long jump at Illinois state high school track championship
—sets state girls' long jump record, 20′ 7½″
—second best jump in the nation by a high school girl
—seventh best on U.S. girls' high school all-time list
Member of 1st place team at Illinois state high school track championship
Member of runner-up team in Illinois state girls' basketball championship tournament
—compiles 47 points, 26 rebounds, 8 assists in three tournament games
—named to All-Tournament Team
Illinois Track & Field News Female Athlete of the Year
Illinois Track & Field News Hall of Fame
Illinois Track & Field News Prep All-America
St. Louis Globe-Democrat Girl Athlete of the Year
1980: Wins AAU Jr. Olympics pentathlon, scoring 4,129 points
—national age group record
Wins AAU Jr. Olympics long jump, 21′ ¾″
Wins long jump at The Athletic Congress Junior Track & Field Championships
Wins long jump at Jr. Pan Am Championships
Member of 1st place team at Illinois state high school track championships
—anchors winning mile-relay team
—wins long jump
Member of Illinois state high school girls' basketball championship team, Lincoln High, 31–0 season record
—named to All-Tournament Team
—named to All-State Team
—complies 59 points, 20 rebounds, 8 assists in three tournament games
Illinois Track & Field News Prep All-America
St. Louis Globe-Democrat Girl Athlete of the Year Finishes 8th in long jump at U.S. Olympic Trials
1981: Runner-up in heptathlon at U.S. Championships Finishes 3rd in heptathlon at Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Championships
Averages 9 points, 4.6 rebounds for UCLA women's basketball team
All-America, track
All-America, basketball
1982: Wins heptathlon at NCAA Championships, scoring 6,099 points
—sets NCAA record
Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships, scoring 6,126 points
Runner-up in long jump at NCAA Championships Averages 8 points, 6 rebounds for UCLA women's basketball team
Wins UCLA All-University Athlete Award
1983: Wins heptathlon at NCAA Championships, scoring 6,365 points
—NCAA record
Runner-up in heptathlon at U.S. Championships scoring 6,372 points
Finishes 4th in long jump at U.S. Championships
Finishes 3rd in long jump at NCAA Championships
Finishes 8th in 100-meter hurdles at NCAA Championships
Averages 9 points, 6 rebounds for UCLA women's basketball team
Wins UCLA All-University Athlete Award
Wins Broderick Award as nation's best college track athlete
1984: Wins heptathlon at U.S. Olympic Trials, scoring 6,520 points
Runner-up in long jump at Olympic Trials
Silver medalist in heptathlon at Olympics, scoring 6,385 points
Finishes 5th in long jump at Olympics
Finishes 3rd in long jump at U.S. Championships
1985: Highest individual scorer at NCAA Championships
—Finishes 3rd in 100-meter hurdles
—Finishes 2nd in 400-meter hurdles
—Finishes 2nd in triple jump
—Finishes 16th in long jump
Wins long jump at Grand Prix Finals
Wins heptathlon at National Sports Festival, scoring 6,718 points
—highest score in the world in 1985
—sets NCAA record
Sets American record in long jump, 23′ 9″
1st team, All-Conference, women's basketball
Finishes 12th in scoring on UCLA all-time list, 1,167 points
Finishes 6th in rebounding on UCLA all-time list, 752
Wins UCLA All-University Athlete Award
Wins Broderick Cup as nation's best female collegiate athlete
1986: Wins heptathlon at Goodwill Games, scoring 7,148 points
—sets world record
—first woman in history to score over 7,000 points
Wins heptathlon at Olympic Festival, scoring 7,158 points
—sets world record
Wins long jump at U.S. Indoor Championships, 22′ 10½″
—sets American record
Finishes 5th in 100-meter hurdles at Grand Prix Finals
Goodwill Games Outstanding Athlete award
Jesse Owens Award winner
Track & Field News Female Athlete of the Year
Sullivan Award winner as nation's top amateur athlete
U.S. Olympic Committee Sportswoman of the Year
1987: Wins heptathlon at World Championships, scoring 7,128 points
Wins long jump at World Championships, 24′ 1¾″
Wins long jump at Pan Am Games, 24′ 5½″
—ties world record
Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships
—sets world heptathlon record in long jump, 23′ 9½″
Wins long jump at U.S. Championships
Wins long jump at Grand Prix Finals
Overall Female Indoor Grand Prix Champion
Finishes 3rd in 55-meter hurdles at U.S. Indoor Championships
Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year
Track & Field News Athlete of the Year
Jesse Owens Award winner
1988: Wins heptathlon at Olympic Trials, scoring 7,215 points
—sets world record
—sets American heptathlon record in 100-meter hurdles
—sets American heptathlon record in high jump
—sets world heptathlon record in 200 meters
Wins long jump at Olympic Trials, 24′ 5¼″
Gold medalist in heptathlon at Olympic Games, scoring 7,291 points
—sets world record
Gold medalist in long jump at Olympic Games, 24′ 3½″
—sets Olympic record
Finishes 5th in 55-meter hurdles at U.S. Indoor Championships
Ties American record in 100-meter hurdles, 12.61 seconds
Sets American indoor record in long jump, 23′½″
Sets American indoor record in 60-meter hurdles, 7.88 seconds
Women's Sports Foundation Amateur Athlete of the Year
1989: Wins 55-meter hurdles at Millrose Games, 7.37 seconds
—Ties world record
—Sets American indoor record
Sets American indoor record in 60-meter hurdles, 7.81 seconds
Runner-up in 55-meter hurdles at U.S. Indoor Championships
1990: Wins heptathlon at Goodwill Games, scoring 6,783 points
Wins long jump at U.S. Championships
1991: Wins long jump at World Championships
Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships
Wins long jump at U.S. Championships
1992: Wins heptathlon at Olympic Trials, scoring 6,695 points
Wins long jump at Olympic Trials
Gold medalist in heptathlon at Olympic Games, scoring 7,044 points
Bronze medalist in long jump at Olympic Games
Wins 60-meter hurdles in U.S. Indoor Championships
Runner-up in long jump at Grand Prix Finals
Sets American indoor long jump record, Yokohama, Japan, 23′ 1¼″
1993: Wins heptathlon at World Championships, scoring 6,837 points
Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships
Wins long jump at U.S. C
hampionships
Sets American indoor record in 50-meter hurdles, 6.84 seconds
1994: Wins heptathlon at Goodwill Games, scoring 6,606 points
Wins long jump at U.S. Championships, 24′ 7″
—sets American record
Wins 100-meter hurdles at U.S. Championships
Wins long jump at U.S. Indoor Championships, 23′ 4¾߱
—sets American indoor record
Wins long jump in Grand Prix Finals
Overall International Amateur Athletic Federation
Grand Prix Champion
IAAF Female Athlete of the Year
Track & Field News Female Athlete of the Year
1995: Wins long jump at U.S. Indoor Championships
Wins long jump at U.S. Championships
Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships
Finishes 6th in long jump at World Championships
1996: Wins long jump at Olympic Trials
Runner-up in heptathlon at Olympic Trials
Bronze medalist in long jump at Olympic Games
“I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.”
—Jackie Joyner-Kersee
to Tom Callahan of Time,
September 1988
Prologue
A sense of nervous anticipation was building in the moist and muggy Atlanta air that late July morning. It was an hour before the heptathlon competition at the 1996 Olympic Games and the serious business of preparing for combat was well underway on the warmup track. Coaches reviewed strategy on the sidelines, while their athletes limbered up on the infield. Around them, competitors of every race, nationality and shoe company affiliation paraded around the jogging track, as television crews from NBC and CNN moved into position, angling for pictures and sound bites.
Sprinkled among the group were my opponents, the world's most versatile and gifted female athletes. They included Sabine Braun of Germany, Ghada Shouaa of Syria, Natasha Sazanovich of Belarus, Denise Lewis of Great Britain and Kelly Blair of the United States. Every four years, such a group gathered at an Olympic venue to contest the heptathlon, a two-day, seven-part trial of endurance and skill. To claim victory, a woman must outperform her competitors in negotiating 100 meters of track and hurdles, clearing the high-jump bar, throwing the javelin, sprinting 200 meters, leaping into the long-jump pit, putting the shot and running 800 meters. Her reward at the culmination of the grueling ordeal is an Olympic gold medal and the designation “World's Greatest Female Athlete.”
A Kind of Grace Page 1