There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.

84 m
Javelin throw : 50. She had red-shirted during the 1983-1984 academic year to concentrate on the heptathlon for the 1984 Summer Olympics. The Bruins advanced to the West Regional semi-finals of the 1985 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament before losing to eventual runner-up Georgia.

After retiring as a competitive athlete Joyner-Kersee has been involved with many philanthropic efforts and has joined the Board of Directors for USA Track & Field (USATF) the national governing body of the sport. Sports Illustrated for Women magazine voted Joyner-Kersee the Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th century just ahead of Babe Didrikson Zaharias.