I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 18 during my freshman year at UCLA. I refused to accept it - and I hid it from my coaches and teammates. But ignoring my problem didn't make it go away. Jackie Joyner-Kersee acceptasthmacoach Change image and share on social
People assuming that because I'm a great athlete, I can dance. But no. My rhythm is off a little bit. Jackie Joyner-Kersee assumeathletebite Change image and share on social
Growing up in the time of Title IX - it was passed when I was 10 - I got a front-row seat to so many great moments in women's sports. Of course I didn't know it at the time. Jackie Joyner-Kersee frontgreatgrow Change image and share on social
I always have been trying to work on the other side of Jackie, and that is, making sure that my appearance, that my image, is right; also, working in the job world, knowing how it is to wake up and go to a job. Jackie Joyner-Kersee appearanceimagejackie share on social
The London games mark the 24th anniversary of my winning two golds and setting the world record in the heptathlon. Someone is going to want it; records are made to be broken - it's only a matter of time. I hope mine will outlive me. Jackie Joyner-Kersee 24thanniversarybreak share on social
When I started competing, you had to have your coach there. Now you can be coached from a home office via Skype or video. That's not the same as having them on the field with you. Jackie Joyner-Kersee coachcompetefield Change image and share on social
The person who talks a lot or talks over people misses out because they weren't listening. Jackie Joyner-Kersee listenlotmissis Change image and share on social
What people need to know is that asthma isn't a minor 'wheeze-disease.' It kills over five thousand people in America every year, and I could've been one of them. Jackie Joyner-Kersee americaasthmadisease Change image and share on social
I don't think there is a perfect athlete. But if I had to come close to picking someone who demonstrates all the traits that I feel an athlete should have, I would say the perfect athlete would be Tiger Woods. He has the ability, he's humble and he's very good at what he does. Jackie Joyner-Kersee abilityathleteclose share on social
