In 1980, when Jackie Joyner-Kersee enrolled at the University of California at Los Angeles on a scholarship to play basketball, it is unlikely that anyone, even her coach and future husband, envisioned her tremendous athletic potential. Bob Kersee hoped to mould the 6.34 long jumper into a decent heptathlete. In their second year together, after she won the national title and scored 6,126, he admitted, "I think most people underestimate her talent."

In 1984, mistakes cost JJK a gold in the first Olympic heptathlon. She later said, "I vowed right then I would never again allow myself to be weak mentally." She has since kept her promise. The 7,000-point barrier fell to her twice in 1986, topped by a 7,158. In Seoul, she defeated rival Heike Drechsler in the long jump and again shattered the combined event record, this time with a 7,291. Another Olympic heptathlon gold followed in 1992, along with a bronze in the long jump. She has been equally successful in the IAAF World Championships, winning the long jump in 1987 and 1991, and the heptathlon in 1987 and 1993.

Given Joyner-Kersee's tremendous range, it is no mystery why many feel she is the greatest woman athlete ever. She has sprinted 200m in 22.30, and pushed the shot out to 16.84m. She has jumped 1.93m vertically and 7.45m horizontally. She has hurdled 12.61 and 55.05 for the 1 lap event. Her success and her friendliness with her competitors are no contradiction, she insists, saying, "I enjoy what I'm doing. I'm just happy to compete."