Jackie Joyner-Kersee Life

  • Birth

    Jackie Joyner is born in East Saint Louis. She is named after the first lady of the United States Jacqueline Kennedy because her grandmother believed that she would achieve great things.
  • Joins Track Group

    Jackie joins the local girl's track group.
  • Fastest

    After years of hard work and perseverance, Jackie becomes the fastest runner in her track group.
  • Watches 1976 Olympics

    Jackie watches the 1976 Olympics and sees Evelynn Ashford, Jackie watches her and thinks, "she is just like me!" From that point on, Jackie wants to go to the Olympics.
  • UCLA

    Jackie goes to university at UCLA (University of California Las Angeles.
  • Bob Kersee

    Jackie begins training with Bob Kersee, a coach in UCLA.
  • First Olympics

    Jackie earns a silver medal in the heptathlon at the Olympics.
  • Marrige

    Jackie marries her coach, Bob Kersee, and changes her name to Jackie Joyner-Kersee
  • First Gold

    Jackie Earns her first gold medal at the heptathlon and long jump in the Olympics.
  • Gold and Bronze

    Jackie wins a gold medal in the heptathlon and a bronze medal in the long jump at the Olympics
  • Best Medal

    Jackie earns a bronze medal in the long jump at the Olympics. She says it her favorite medal because her hamstring was injured but she still battled through the pain and won.