Article: The Rise of FloJo Flash: PURPLE HAZE: Florence Griffith Joyner shattered the world record in the 100 at the 1988 Olympic trials, then won three golds at the Games. James Perkins Jr. was meet director at the trials in Indianapolis., FASTER AND FARTHER: The greatest track star in American history, Carl Lewis won nine gold medals in four Olympic Games.(Society)(Brief Article)

It was July 1988. the country was in the grip of a heat wave. It was well over 90 degrees. So on the track it was unbelievably hot. And the crowd was really packed in. The stadium held about 12,000, and there were probably 13,500 people there that day. That's because there were a number of really phenomenal athletes there. People had really bought their tickets to see the more well-known names--Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses, Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Evelyn Ashford was the top sprinter at the time. She was the one to watch in the 100-meters. But people were buzzing about Florence. That whole year she had been performing really well. And well, there was her style. Track and field is ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!