JJK’s long jump record earns her USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jackie Joyner-Kersee (East St. Louis, Illinois) set an American record in the women’s long jump on May 22, 1994 and was voted by fans as winner of the ninth USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week award. In the absence of competition during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking a weekly look back at some of the great efforts by American track and field athletes through the years.
 
On her third attempt at the New York GP, JJK sailed 7.49m/24-7 to break her own AR by 1¼ inches. It remains the No. 2 jump in history, and she matched the distance at Sestriere, Italy, on July 24 that year.
 
Three times an Olympic gold medalist, JJK won six total medals at the Games and added four World Championships golds. She still holds the heptathlon world record and the top six scores ever in the event, and no other athlete has come within 250 points of her 7,291 tally. A philanthropist and community activist, JJK founded the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in East St. Louis to encourage youth academically and athletically. She has served on the board of directors of USA Track & Field and was named by Sports Illustrated as the Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century.
 
Other historical performances of note from the May 18-24 period in USATF history:

• May 18 — Al Oerter World record in men’s discus, 61.10m/200-5 at Los Angeles, California in 1962
• May 19 — Heye Lambertus American record in men’s 220y low hurdles, 23.5 at Lincoln, Nebraska in 1934
• May 20 — Nancy Voorhees World record in women’s high jump, 1.46m/4-9.5 at Simsbury, Connecticut in 1922
• May 21 — Bud Held World record in men’s javelin, 81.75m/268-2 at Modesto, California in 1955
• May 23 — Cornelius “Dutch” Warmerdam World record in men’s pole vault, 4.77m/15-7.75 at Modesto, California in 1942
• May 24 — Sandy Myers American record in women’s 400m hurdles, 56.40 at Eugene, Oregon in 1980

 
Now in its 19th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
 
2020 Winners: January 9, Miranda Melville; January 16, Paul Perry; January 23, Natosha Rogers; January 30, Tyler Day, February 6, Devin Dixon; February 13, Elle Purrier; February 20, Tori Franklin; February 27, Sandi Morris; March 4, Abdi Abdirahman; March 12 Marielle Hall; March 19, Tim Tollefson; April 2, Louise Ritter; April 9, Francie Larrieu Smith; April 16, Erin Gilreath; April 23, Suzy Powell; April 30, Joe Dial; May 7, Dawn Ellerbe; May 14, Ramona Pagel; May 21, Brian Oldfield; May 28, Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
 
We welcome your nominations!
 
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to communications@usatf.org.
 
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