A Kind of Grace Read online

  Copyright © 1997 by Jackie Joyner-Kersee

  All rights reserved.

  Warner Books, Inc., Hachette Book Group, 237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017

  Visit our Web site at www.HachetteBookGroup.com

  A Time Warner Company

  First eBook Edition: July 1999

  ISBN: 978-0-446-93027-7

  The Warner Books name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  Book design by Giorgetta Bell McRee

  Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Introduction

  Preface

  Prologue

  1: My Roots

  2: Momma and Daddy

  3: Inspirations

  4: One Kind of Grace

  5: Seeking an Identity

  6: My Guiding Light

  7: A Consuming Passion

  8: Championship Seasons

  9: My Feminine Mystique

  10: Painful Realities

  11: A Motherless Child

  12: Mourning

  13: College Life

  14: Frustration

  15: Bobby

  16: Back on Track

  17: The Carnival

  18: A Silver Lining

  19: Baseball, Hot Dogs and a Proposal

  20: Mr. and Mrs.

  21: World's Best

  22: Super Woman

  23: Another Kind of Grace

  24: Rejuvenation

  25: Adored and Ignored

  26: Asthma and Other Annoyances

  27: Heike

  28: Anointed

  29: Human Relations

  30: At Death's Door

  31: The Lesson

  32: Dear Momma

  I dedicate this book to my mother, Mary Joyner, and my husband, Bobby. You are the two people I consider to be true friends. You both have been my strength when I was weak and a great source of light when times were dark. Because of you, I have developed into the person I am and I am able to do the things I do.

  Momma, words cannot describe how much I miss seeing you, having our lengthy phone conversations that to me seemed timeless, and simply knowing that you were there for me. I never realized how much you taught me; and I am grateful that you gave me the gift of life. You told me to challenge myself and to be considerate of others. They are lessons I treasure. I love you and miss you dearly.

  Bobby, my blessings and happiness have come from being married to you. Together, we shall move forward in life and face new challenges. You are my rock and my inspiration.

  Acknowledgments

  From Jackie Joyner-Kersee

  There are so many people I want to thank and acknowledge for their support over the years.

  To my many sponsors, GlaxoWellcome, Bob Ingram and Tim Tyson; Honda and Kiochi Amemiya; Nike and Phil Knight; Ray-Ban and Norm Sallk; McDonald's, Ken Barun, Jackie Woodward and Teddi Domann; and 7UP, John Albers and Warren Jackson. It was your commitment to me that paved my road to success. Thanks for sticking with me, whether I was healthy or injured.

  To Elite Management: Thank you for securing corporate support and making life easier for me during the times I needed it most.

  To my dad, Alfred: Thank you for providing us with shelter, food and lots of love.

  To my siblings, Angie, Debra and Fret-fret: Our bonds will never be broken.

  A special thanks to all of the people who played a significant role in my life as a young girl: George Ward, Tyrone Cavitt, Percy Harris, Puncho Hamilton, Big John and Tommy Dancy, Miss Mary Brown, Miss Wicks, Mr. Riggins, Miss Walker, Miss Theodora Ash Smith, Miss Gillispe, Miss Hopkins, Mr. McDonald, Glover, Miss Stamp, Michelle Farmer, Joyce Farmer McKinney, Betty Young, the Slack family, Calvin Brown, Alan, Art and Brooks Johnson, and all the men on the corner of 15th and Piggott.

  To my friends in the sports and entertainment industry who have supported and encouraged me throughout my career: Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Cosby, Louis Gossett, Jr., Michael Jordan, Dawnn Lewis, Ozzie Smith, Dawn Staley, Susan Taylor, Chris Webber and Terrie Williams.

  To three very special ladies who inspire me to be a great person: Ruth Owens, Rachel Robinson and Betty Shabazz.

  To the members of my foundation who help me in my dream to come back to East St. Louis and give hope to young people: Henry Brown, Bill Boyle, David Dandurand, Anita DeFrantz, Dave Dorr, Herb Douglas, Christopher Edley, Phil and Connee Freeman, Noel Hankin, Jim Koman, Earl Lazerson, Ann Moore, Jim Orso, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Denise Williams, Russ Klein, Judson Pickard, Angela Roberson, Wayman Smith III and Judge Warton.

  To Wallace and Debra Anderson: Thanks for allowing my sister and me to stay with you when we had no other place to go.

  To Billie Moore, Dr. Judith Holland and Colleen Matsuhara: Thanks for recruiting me and making my dreams become reality.

  To Coach Nino Fennoy: Thanks for being a great friend, mentor and dad. You are and always have been a great source of inspiration to me. I will always be in your debt for all of the support given over the years.

  To Bob Forster and Dr. Rick Lehman: my career saviors. I owe a great deal of my injury-free years to your commitment and dedication.

  To Dave Harris: Thanks for being there for me, and being a friend to the end to me and my husband, Bobby.

  To my girlfriend Carmen: Thanks for being a friend, a sister and, sometimes, a mom. Our friendship is very special.

  To Valerie Brisco: Thanks for letting me stay with you rent-free so that I could get my first car.

  To Jeanette Bolden, Alice Brown, Sandra Farmer-Patrick, Flo-Jo and Gail Devers: I always believed we had a special connection that went beyond collecting medals. We are truly friends.

  To Marie Kersee: I will always have a special spot in my heart for you because you always dropped whatever you were doing to help me. Thank you.

  To Rhonda Harris: Even though you were only thirteen at the time, it was your and Sandra's encouragement at the 1993 World Championships that helped me stay strong through my illness.

  To Joyce, Michelle and Percy: Thank you for helping Sonja and extending your “East St. Louis style” hospitality during her visit.

  There isn't enough space to individually acknowledge each of the many contributors to this book. To all of those who assisted: Please know that in my heart I am grateful for your help.

  Finally, to WILMA RUDOLPH: my hero, my friend, my idol. I miss you.

  From Sonja Steptoe

  Heartfelt thanks to:

  My agent, Faith Hampton Childs, for her unwavering support and priceless wisdom.

  My research assistant, Tracey Reavis, for her gold-medal reporting performance.

  Photo editor Maxine Arthur Peacock for lending the picture collection her keen eye.

  The Sports Illustrated library and computer operations departments for promptly answering my plaintive cries for help.

  Nino Fennoy, Della Gray, Al Joyner and Joyce Farmer McKinney for supplying essential details and insights.

  Jackie Joyner-Kersee's Athletic Record

  1977: Wins Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics pentathlon, scoring 3,613 points

  —national age group record

  Wins 100-yard dash at AAU All-America City Relays

  Wins 440-yard dash at AAU All-America City Relays

  —meet record

  Wins long jump at AAU All-America City Relays

  —meet record

  1978: Wins AAU Jr. Olympics pentathlon, scoring 3,817 points

  —national age group record

  Member of 1st place team at Illinois state high school track championship

  —sets state girls' record in 440-yard dash, 56.75 seconds

  —anchors winning mile-relay team

  —
runner-up in long jump

  Averages 16 points, 17 rebounds for Lincoln High girls' basketball team

  St. Louis Globe-Democrat Girl Athlete of the Year

  1979: Wins AAU Jr. Olympics pentathlon, scoring 3,953 points

  —national age group record

  Wins AAU Jr. Olympics long jump, 20′ 8″

  —national age group record

  Wins long jump at Illinois state high school track championship

  —sets state girls' long jump record, 20′ 7½″

  —second best jump in the nation by a high school girl

  —seventh best on U.S. girls' high school all-time list

  Member of 1st place team at Illinois state high school track championship

  Member of runner-up team in Illinois state girls' basketball championship tournament

  —compiles 47 points, 26 rebounds, 8 assists in three tournament games

  —named to All-Tournament Team

  Illinois Track & Field News Female Athlete of the Year

  Illinois Track & Field News Hall of Fame

  Illinois Track & Field News Prep All-America

  St. Louis Globe-Democrat Girl Athlete of the Year

  1980: Wins AAU Jr. Olympics pentathlon, scoring 4,129 points

  —national age group record

  Wins AAU Jr. Olympics long jump, 21′ ¾″

  Wins long jump at The Athletic Congress Junior Track & Field Championships

  Wins long jump at Jr. Pan Am Championships

  Member of 1st place team at Illinois state high school track championships

  —anchors winning mile-relay team

  —wins long jump

  Member of Illinois state high school girls' basketball championship team, Lincoln High, 31–0 season record

  —named to All-Tournament Team

  —named to All-State Team

  —complies 59 points, 20 rebounds, 8 assists in three tournament games

  Illinois Track & Field News Prep All-America

  St. Louis Globe-Democrat Girl Athlete of the Year Finishes 8th in long jump at U.S. Olympic Trials

  1981: Runner-up in heptathlon at U.S. Championships Finishes 3rd in heptathlon at Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Championships

  Averages 9 points, 4.6 rebounds for UCLA women's basketball team

  All-America, track

  All-America, basketball

  1982: Wins heptathlon at NCAA Championships, scoring 6,099 points

  —sets NCAA record

  Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships, scoring 6,126 points

  Runner-up in long jump at NCAA Championships Averages 8 points, 6 rebounds for UCLA women's basketball team

  Wins UCLA All-University Athlete Award

  1983: Wins heptathlon at NCAA Championships, scoring 6,365 points

  —NCAA record

  Runner-up in heptathlon at U.S. Championships scoring 6,372 points

  Finishes 4th in long jump at U.S. Championships

  Finishes 3rd in long jump at NCAA Championships

  Finishes 8th in 100-meter hurdles at NCAA Championships

  Averages 9 points, 6 rebounds for UCLA women's basketball team

  Wins UCLA All-University Athlete Award

  Wins Broderick Award as nation's best college track athlete

  1984: Wins heptathlon at U.S. Olympic Trials, scoring 6,520 points

  Runner-up in long jump at Olympic Trials

  Silver medalist in heptathlon at Olympics, scoring 6,385 points

  Finishes 5th in long jump at Olympics

  Finishes 3rd in long jump at U.S. Championships

  1985: Highest individual scorer at NCAA Championships

  —Finishes 3rd in 100-meter hurdles

  —Finishes 2nd in 400-meter hurdles

  —Finishes 2nd in triple jump

  —Finishes 16th in long jump

  Wins long jump at Grand Prix Finals

  Wins heptathlon at National Sports Festival, scoring 6,718 points

  —highest score in the world in 1985

  —sets NCAA record

  Sets American record in long jump, 23′ 9″

  1st team, All-Conference, women's basketball

  Finishes 12th in scoring on UCLA all-time list, 1,167 points

  Finishes 6th in rebounding on UCLA all-time list, 752

  Wins UCLA All-University Athlete Award

  Wins Broderick Cup as nation's best female collegiate athlete

  1986: Wins heptathlon at Goodwill Games, scoring 7,148 points

  —sets world record

  —first woman in history to score over 7,000 points

  Wins heptathlon at Olympic Festival, scoring 7,158 points

  —sets world record

  Wins long jump at U.S. Indoor Championships, 22′ 10½″

  —sets American record

  Finishes 5th in 100-meter hurdles at Grand Prix Finals

  Goodwill Games Outstanding Athlete award

  Jesse Owens Award winner

  Track & Field News Female Athlete of the Year

  Sullivan Award winner as nation's top amateur athlete

  U.S. Olympic Committee Sportswoman of the Year

  1987: Wins heptathlon at World Championships, scoring 7,128 points

  Wins long jump at World Championships, 24′ 1¾″

  Wins long jump at Pan Am Games, 24′ 5½″

  —ties world record

  Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships

  —sets world heptathlon record in long jump, 23′ 9½″

  Wins long jump at U.S. Championships

  Wins long jump at Grand Prix Finals

  Overall Female Indoor Grand Prix Champion

  Finishes 3rd in 55-meter hurdles at U.S. Indoor Championships

  Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year

  Track & Field News Athlete of the Year

  Jesse Owens Award winner

  1988: Wins heptathlon at Olympic Trials, scoring 7,215 points

  —sets world record

  —sets American heptathlon record in 100-meter hurdles

  —sets American heptathlon record in high jump

  —sets world heptathlon record in 200 meters

  Wins long jump at Olympic Trials, 24′ 5¼″

  Gold medalist in heptathlon at Olympic Games, scoring 7,291 points

  —sets world record

  Gold medalist in long jump at Olympic Games, 24′ 3½″

  —sets Olympic record

  Finishes 5th in 55-meter hurdles at U.S. Indoor Championships

  Ties American record in 100-meter hurdles, 12.61 seconds

  Sets American indoor record in long jump, 23′½″

  Sets American indoor record in 60-meter hurdles, 7.88 seconds

  Women's Sports Foundation Amateur Athlete of the Year

  1989: Wins 55-meter hurdles at Millrose Games, 7.37 seconds

  —Ties world record

  —Sets American indoor record

  Sets American indoor record in 60-meter hurdles, 7.81 seconds

  Runner-up in 55-meter hurdles at U.S. Indoor Championships

  1990: Wins heptathlon at Goodwill Games, scoring 6,783 points

  Wins long jump at U.S. Championships

  1991: Wins long jump at World Championships

  Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships

  Wins long jump at U.S. Championships

  1992: Wins heptathlon at Olympic Trials, scoring 6,695 points

  Wins long jump at Olympic Trials

  Gold medalist in heptathlon at Olympic Games, scoring 7,044 points

  Bronze medalist in long jump at Olympic Games

  Wins 60-meter hurdles in U.S. Indoor Championships

  Runner-up in long jump at Grand Prix Finals

  Sets American indoor long jump record, Yokohama, Japan, 23′ 1¼″

  1993: Wins heptathlon at World Championships, scoring 6,837 points

  Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships

  Wins long jump at U.S. C
hampionships

  Sets American indoor record in 50-meter hurdles, 6.84 seconds

  1994: Wins heptathlon at Goodwill Games, scoring 6,606 points

  Wins long jump at U.S. Championships, 24′ 7″

  —sets American record

  Wins 100-meter hurdles at U.S. Championships

  Wins long jump at U.S. Indoor Championships, 23′ 4¾߱

  —sets American indoor record

  Wins long jump in Grand Prix Finals

  Overall International Amateur Athletic Federation

  Grand Prix Champion

  IAAF Female Athlete of the Year

  Track & Field News Female Athlete of the Year

  1995: Wins long jump at U.S. Indoor Championships

  Wins long jump at U.S. Championships

  Wins heptathlon at U.S. Championships

  Finishes 6th in long jump at World Championships

  1996: Wins long jump at Olympic Trials

  Runner-up in heptathlon at Olympic Trials

  Bronze medalist in long jump at Olympic Games

  “I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.”

  —Jackie Joyner-Kersee

  to Tom Callahan of Time,

  September 1988

  Prologue

  A sense of nervous anticipation was building in the moist and muggy Atlanta air that late July morning. It was an hour before the heptathlon competition at the 1996 Olympic Games and the serious business of preparing for combat was well underway on the warmup track. Coaches reviewed strategy on the sidelines, while their athletes limbered up on the infield. Around them, competitors of every race, nationality and shoe company affiliation paraded around the jogging track, as television crews from NBC and CNN moved into position, angling for pictures and sound bites.

  Sprinkled among the group were my opponents, the world's most versatile and gifted female athletes. They included Sabine Braun of Germany, Ghada Shouaa of Syria, Natasha Sazanovich of Belarus, Denise Lewis of Great Britain and Kelly Blair of the United States. Every four years, such a group gathered at an Olympic venue to contest the heptathlon, a two-day, seven-part trial of endurance and skill. To claim victory, a woman must outperform her competitors in negotiating 100 meters of track and hurdles, clearing the high-jump bar, throwing the javelin, sprinting 200 meters, leaping into the long-jump pit, putting the shot and running 800 meters. Her reward at the culmination of the grueling ordeal is an Olympic gold medal and the designation “World's Greatest Female Athlete.”