#38: Florence Griffith Joyner: Flo Jo
Florence Griffith Joyner, better known as Flo Jo, is the fastest woman of all time. She set the world record for the 100-meter sprint in 1988, with a breathtaking 10.49-second speed at the Olympic quarterfinals in Indianapolis. Although Elaine Thompson-Herah has recently come extremely close, that record still stands. Flo Jo went on to etch her name in Olympic history later that same year by winning three Gold medals and one Silver medal.
She was also a fashion icon, wearing stand-out jumpsuits and sporting fabulously manicured nails. She expressed herself through athletic fashion and changed people’s ideas of how female track-and-field athletes “should” present themselves. Although Florence passed away at the untimely age of 38, her world records, style, and undeniable talent live on and inspire people to this day.