An Olympics memory: Florence Griffith-Joyner at the 1988 Summer Olympics, Seoul, South Korea

Like the season itself, memories of past Summer Olympics have come and gone. One memory, though, will stay with me always. It unfolded in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. Florence Griffith-Joyner blew me away in her role as an athlete and a woman.

Flo-Jo was a nimble sprinter. She wore bold, dazzling red lipstick. Her long nails were flamboyantly decorated. Sporting swanky one-legged running leotards, she was sexy. She was also the epitome of fitness and femininity. That year, Florence left Seoul with three gold medals, one silver and unbeatable records to her name.

The Athlete/Female Connection

At that time, my attention to Florence Griffith-Joyner was multi-faceted: At the age of five, my daughter displayed great potential in athletics. She had legs from here to the moon. I do not recollect any boy outrunning her. The first time she participated in the end-of-year elementary school Olympics; she sprinted past the fastest boy in school and took home a blue ribbon.

My daughter idolized Flo-Jo. In 1988, Joyner's dramatic outfits intrigued my 10-year-old. It is no secret that Flo-Jo referred to her plucky running gear (designed by her) as "athletic negligees." My daughter was fascinated by this athlete's outrageous nails, and mesmerized by her unmatched speed.

I, too, was captivated by Joyner's incredible performance and charisma. She oozed beauty, panache, and astounding athletic ability. As a woman, and the mother of a girl, I wanted my daughter to know that Flo-Jo's spirit for competition and style was beguiling. It was as fresh as a spring morning. Perhaps I secretly saw a budding Flo-Jo in my daughter.

Flo-Jo Burns up the Track

Replicating a favorite sports moment is always possible: forgetting a profound one is impossible. I fondly recall the 1988 Summer Olympics in South Korea, and Florence Griffith-Joyner's gold medal win in the women's 100-meter dash. Although Flo-Jo captured gold and silver in other events, this is my favorite Olympic final for a reason.

The dash, a 10.54-second gold medal blur, amazed me. What I saw was a long mane of hair blowing in the breeze, which was partly generated by Florence Griffith-Joyner as she pounded the track. Bam! It was over. Just like that, she was now trotting along carrying the American flag and waving to the cheering spectators.

However, when NBC flipped quickly to the replay, it showed something not caught by the cameras from a distance. There was Flo-Jo running in slow motion. About six or so seconds into the dash, she broke into a beautiful, self-assured winner's smile. She knew. I knew. The world knew. I will never forget the smile she just couldn't contain.

Sad Death of Flo-Jo

On September 21, 1998, Florence Griffith-Joyner died from an epileptic seizure. She was 38. Allegations of the use of performance-enhancing drugs overshadowed her professional track and field career. Florence rejected the accusations repeatedly.

In death, suspicious allegations surfaced once again. Apparently, while in professional sports, she never failed a drug test. People will forever debate the issue, though.

Florence Griffith-Joyner said, "I've been in track and field for more than 20 years, and out of all my races, I've lost more than I've won. But it's all been fun."

I want to believe in my heart that in the 1988 Summer Olympics, Flo-Jo was magnificent entirely on her own awe-inspiring strength and determination.

Sources:

Personal Experience

FlorenceGriffith-Joyner.com

Kristina Rebelo Anderson, "The Uneasy Death of Florence Griffith-Joyner," Salon NewsReel

Bio.True Story.com '" Florence Griffith-Joyner