Overcoming Poverty and Asthma Challenges
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, born on March 3, 1962, in East St. Louis, Illinois, is a name synonymous with athletic excellence. Yet, her journey to becoming one of the greatest female athletes of the 20th century is deeply intertwined with her faith in God. Growing up in a challenging environment, Jackie faced financial hardship and the struggles of being the daughter of teenage parents. However, her spirit was undeterred. Watching the 1976 Montreal Olympics, she was inspired by athletes like Evelyn Ashford and decided to pursue her dreams with determination and resolve.
Her path was not without obstacles. Jackie developed asthma, a condition that could have halted her career. But she pressed on, believing in what she described as 'a kind of grace' that accompanied her athletic endeavors. 'What I stand for is not the gold medals. Those are materialistic. There is a reason I'm blessed. I put God first,' she declared at Washington University on June 22, 2018.
Christian Athlete Olympic Champion Emerges
At UCLA, she excelled in track and basketball from 1980 to 1985, and in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, she won a silver medal in the heptathlon. Her crowning achievement came at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where she set the world record in the heptathlon with 7,291 points and won gold in both the heptathlon and long jump. Through every victory, Jackie remained humble, attributing her success to her faith. She once shared, 'There's no way I could have accomplished all the things that I have been blessed to do, because I know it just wasn't me.'
Faith Transforms Life Beyond Sports
Beyond her athletic triumphs, Jackie has devoted herself to advocacy. She founded the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in 1988, focusing on children's education, health, and equality. Her story is a testament to the power of faith and perseverance. 'I can turn a doubter into a believer as long as I believe,' she often says, embodying the encouragement she offers to others.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee's legacy is not merely in her medals but in the impact of her faith-driven life, continually giving glory to God for her abilities and opportunities.