Joyner-Kersee, Jackie (1962- ), an American athlete, became the first woman to win consecutive heptathlon championships at the Olympic Games. The heptathlon is a seven-event track and field competition held over two days. Joyner-Kersee won the Olympic heptathlon in 1988 and 1992, setting a world record of 7,291 points in the 1988 games. Joyner-Kersee had finished second in the heptathlon in the 1984 Olympics. Joyner-Kersee also won the Olympic long jump in 1988, setting an Olympic record of 24 feet 3 ½ inches (7.40 meters). She finished third in the long jump in the 1992 and 1996 games.

Excerpt from the "Joyner-Kersee, Jackie" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999