The sprinting records that still stand - Florence Griffith Joyner - Seoul 1988 Olympic Games
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Florence Griffith Joyner - USA - Athletics - 100m & 200m - Seoul 1988 Olympic Games
Florence Griffith Joyner’s career was as brief as it was colourful. The Californian sprinter was known more for her outrageous outfits and long, painted fingernails as much as she was recognised for her sprinting achievements.
But all that stopped in 1988, when the Flo-Jo phenomenon took root amid a string of incredible performances culminating in double sprint gold at the Olympic Games in Seoul.
She was undoubtedly a sprinter of note, claiming silver in the 200m at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles and again earning the runners-up spot in the world championships in Rome three years later.
But it was in the relatively humble surrounds of the US Olympic trials in 1988 that she made her astonishing breakthrough.
In the heats of the 100m she broke the world record held by compatriot Ev