Today in History: Florence Griffith Joyner Passed in 1998

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FILE - In this Sept. 29, 1988, file photo, Florence Griffith Joyner, of the United States, waves to spectators as she holds a sign following her world record performance in the finals of the women's 200-meters race, in Seoul, South Korea. The name Flo-Jo is popping up quite a bit these days with sprinters creeping closer to her record times in the women’s 100 and 200 races. The late Florence Griffith Joyner has held both marks for three decades. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)
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Olympic track star Florence Joyner died on this day in 1998.

Florence Joyner, affectionately known as Flo-Jo, died 23 years ago today at the age of 38. The track and field star was considered the “fastest woman of all time and set world records at the 1988 Olympics.

Joyner reportedly died in her sleep as the result of a seizure.

During the late 1980s, Joyner became a popular figure in international track and field because of her record-setting performances and flashy personal style.

At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Flo-Jo won the 100-meter final. In the 200-meter semifinal, she set the world record of 21.56 seconds and then she broke this record again in winning in the finals by 0.40 seconds with her time of 21.34 seconds.

Tiffany Haddish is set to play Flo-Jo in an upcoming biopic.

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