Why did Florence Griffith Joyner Stop Running?

By Jayson Panganiban May 19, 2024 04:24

Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images

Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, was an American track and field athlete known for her extraordinary speed and record-setting performances. Her decision to retire from running has been a subject of curiosity and speculation.

In this detailed analysis, we will explore the reasons behind her retirement, including her achievements, personal life, and the events that may have influenced her decision.

Extraordinary Achievements

Florence Griffith Joyner's athletic career was marked by exceptional achievements, particularly during the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. She left the games with an impressive total of four Olympic medals, including three gold and one silver.

Her success at the 1988 Olympics led to new opportunities, and she earned millions of dollars from endorsement deals and various ventures, including designing basketball uniforms for the Indiana Pacers NBA team and making guest appearances on TV shows.

Rapid Rise to Fame

Griffith Joyner's rise to fame was meteoric, especially after setting world records in the 100m and 200m events in 1988. But her sudden and dramatic improvement in performance led to speculation and suspicion from fellow athletes.

Questions were raised about the significant changes in her physique and the possibility of performance-enhancing substances being involved.

Despite these suspicions, drug tests repeatedly administered during her career did not reveal any banned substances.

Retirement and Comeback Attempt

In February 1989, Griffith Joyner announced her retirement from racing, citing new business opportunities outside of sprinting as the reason for her decision.

Despite her retirement, she continued to be involved in various activities, including serving as the co-chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness between 1993 and 1998.

Her retirement was short-lived, as she announced a comeback to competitive athletics in 1996, focusing on the 400-meter run. However, her hopes of setting a new world record in the 400m event were dashed due to tendinitis in her right leg.

Speculations and Challenges

Griffith Joyner's retirement and subsequent comeback attempt were not devoid of challenges.

Her extraordinary improvement in performance before the 1988 Olympics led to widespread speculation about the use of performance-enhancing substances.

Rumors and allegations, including claims of steroid use and the sale of growth hormones, surfaced, casting a shadow on her achievements.

Personal Life and Legacy

Griffith Joyner's personal life, including her marriage to Al Joyner, an Olympic gold medalist, and her involvement in philanthropic activities, added depth to her legacy. Her untimely death in 1998 at the age of 38 due to an epileptic seizure caused by a birth defect marked the end of an era in the world of track and field athletics.

All in all, Florence Griffith Joyner's decision to stop running was influenced by a combination of factors, including her remarkable success, speculation surrounding her performance, and her desire to pursue new opportunities outside of athletics. While her retirement and subsequent comeback attempt were clouded by

challenges and controversies, Griffith Joyner's legacy continues to inspire and her impact on the world of sports remains indelible.