The forgotten Legend: Why nobody remembers the Fastest Woman in the World?

The history of the 100-meter dash is the history of the most traditional competition of all. It’s a race where, at least for a few seconds, everything unnecessary fades away. Once the starting gun fires, it’s all about who can cross the finish line the fastest.

The sprint is considered the crown jewel of track and field − a discipline shaped by one woman like few others: Florence Griffith-Joyner. Yet, while the name Usain Bolt is known to everyone today, the fastest woman in the world seems to have nearly vanished from collective memory.

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A Record for the Ages

1988, Seoul, Olympic Games. Florence Griffith-Joyner − better known as Flo-Jo to her fans − runs the 100 meters in an incredible 10.49 seconds. To this day, no other woman has broken this record. And that’s despite the fact that the technique she used at the time only became standard decades later.

The so-called “running in front of the body” technique might sound a bit technical, but it’s hard for the average person to grasp just how far ahead of her time Florence Griffith-Joyner was. Her unique method of lifting her knees as far forward as possible before planting her foot in a stretched position revolutionized the sprint.

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And Then There was a Scandal 

But the 100-meter dash lost its innocence at the very moment Florence Griffith-Joyner reached the top. Only one day after her record-setting run, the Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was disqualified for doping, dividing the sports world into a “before” and an “after.”

Suddenly, every record was under suspicion, and rumours quickly surrounded Flo-Jo as well. To this day, the question of whether she may have used performance-enhancing drugs remains persistent − despite the fact that nothing was ever proven.

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More Than Just a Sprinter

Florence Griffith-Joyner was much more than just an athlete − she was a pioneer.

With her extravagant outfits, her long, brightly painted fingernails paired with running socks in her track shoes, and her incredible presence on the track, she became a fashion icon. 

Today, she would likely be considered the first influencer of the sports world. While many of her male counterparts competed in plain jerseys, Flo-Jo was like a rock star in track and field. She not only redefined the sport but also reshaped the way how a female athlete could be perceived.

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A Tragic Figure

But Florence Griffith-Joyner’s life also had its dark sides. Ten years after her legendary record run, she died under mysterious circumstances at the age of just 38.

To this day, there is no conclusive explanation for her sudden death, fueling speculation about her life even more. Yet despite all the rumours and scandals, one thing remains indisputable: She was the fastest woman to ever run the 100 meters.

But why do so few people remember her name today? The answer lies in a story not just about sports, but also about sexism and racism, about the 1980s, and about a woman who was far ahead of her time.

Florence Griffith-Joyner should be remembered not just as a record-holder, but as the pioneer and role model that she was. She shaped the 100-meter dash like no other and remains one of the most fascinating figures in sports history. It’s time for the world to once again remember the fastest woman of all time.