TIhe WorIcTs Fastest Woman
Florence Griffith Joyner began 1980.Olympic Dream ComesTrue
running as a child and she hasn't The turning point came in 1984
stopped since. She lifted when Joyner earned the silver
women's track to a new level medal in the 200-meter track
with her three gold and one silver event at the Los Angeles Summer
medal-winning performances in Olympics. In 1988 she became
the 1988 Summer Olympics. Her the first American woman to win
still-standing world record times four medals ? three gold and
in the 100- and 200-meter events one silver ? in one Olympic
have rightly earned her the title year. At the same time, she daz
"World's Fastest Woman." zled the crowds with her long fin
Joyner's fast track recently led gernails and flashy running
her to the White House, where garb.She was adored by the
President Clinton named her to crowds. After her performance in
co-chair the President's Council Seoul, Korea, she received many
on Physical Fitness and Sports, awards: the U.S. Olympic
"While the
president
continues to
find ways to
reduce our
national debt,
I'll be help
i n g
Americans
? "Yi
Record-letting sprinter
riorence orn inn JoyiKT
chairs the President's
Council on Physical
Rhiess and Sports.
Committee' s
Sportwoman
of the Year,
Track and
Field
Magazine's
Athlete of the
Year,
Associated
trim the fat off their diets," says Press Sportswoman of the Year,
Joyner. "Preventing illness is the Tass News Agency's Sports
first and best step toward reform- Personality of the Year, and Jesse
ing our health care system, and I Owens Outstanding Track and
hope to do my part by encourag- Field Athlete. In 1989, she won
ing healthy eating and regular amateur athletics' highest honor
exercise among all Americans. ?the Sullivan Award.
Florence is the first woman ever Fit to ServeOff the track, she has
appointed to this position. lent support to many worthy
A Winner from the Word "GO" causes, serving as spokeswoman
Born and raised in Los Angeles for organizations such as Project
Watts section, she was the sev- Eco-School, The American
enth of 11 children raised by a Cancer Society and The Multiple
mother who stressed the values of Sclerosis Foundation,
independence and individualism. She also encourages goal-setting
Florence started running at age and achievement through the
seven in a program of the Sugar Florence Griffith Joyner Youth
Ray Robinson Youth Foundation. Foundation, a non-profit founda
By the time she was a teenager, tion that helps disadvantaged
she had become an outstanding youth. With its emphasis on posi
long jumper and one of the top tive self-image, the Foundation
runners in California. Joyner did has been invited to become part
not limit herself to sports, howev- of the national DARE PLUS
er (Play Learning Under
.A straight-A student she majored Supervision) program. Flo Jo
in businss at California State recently completed an exercise
University/Northridge before video to help those who aren't
earning a scholarship to study world-class sprinters get in
psychology at the University of shape.With strong- belief in God
California at Los Angeles and family, Florence and her hus
(UCLA). Under UCLA coach band A1 Joyner, also an Olympic
Bob Kersee, she first qualified gold medalist, have ode daughter,
for the Olympic trials in Mary Ruth.
-? :
* i . ?
*.. . .?*
THE SfciENCE
itch, climb and jump! Sport,
n international traveling
xhibition at the Greensboro's
Nature Science Center
through May 6, explores the
science behing the sports we
play and watch. Experience
the thrill of participating in
the games athletes play. Twelve
interactive hands-on and body-on
displays give you the opportunity to
test your athl^ic skills. Experience
angular momentum in the Rotating
Arena, and aerodynamics in the
Bobsled Simulator. Discover how
fasj a festal is and then try pitching
a baaseball the regulation length of
60 feet 6 inches from mound to
home plate in the Baseball Pitch.
Scale a Rock Wall to practice
strength, balance and endurance.
Hop on a competition-sized Balance
Beam and learn why some gymnasts
y, "It's all in thg nose." Compete
ainst friends in a Wheelchair Race
see how softly you can touch
own at the Land Like a Cat display.
Cool down by walking on a tread
mill and discover you own walking
gait as you See Yourself Walk.
If you're an armchair athlete,
you can join other visitors in judg
ing five Olympic performance in,
You Be the Judge
Explore the different mateflWj
sed in equipment; the effects
in sports; sports in juries r
en in sports.
a fastball fast?
a performance?
get a grip?
Pictured above A
young visitor tries
rock climbing at Check out the Sport exhibit and
Greensboro Nature find out. It's sure to bring out the
Science Center's sport in you!
Sport exhibit. For more information
call 288-3679.
ITT i WW