'I executed what I prepared to do': How legendary Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee overcame self-doubt to win the gold
The retired professional athlete as well as hall-of-famer opened up as much as the BBC's Katty Kay around the difficulties she dealt with when driving towards the Olympics, as well as the winning frame of mind that viewed her with all of them.
If Jackie Joyner-Kersee's lifestyle seems like a film it is since maybe one - however her underdog tale, while acquainted, is actually much coming from typical. As a matter of fact, she's distinct: a four-time Olympic rival that has actually won 3 Olympic medals in each the heptathlon as well as lengthy leap, as well as whose record-breaking excellence she chalks as much as an always-positive mindset, in addition to the idea that she'd someday be actually exceeded in sporting activity equally as rapidly as she'd ascended in it.
"When I damaged the documents in 1988, it didn't strike me they will certainly not be actually damaged once once more," she informs BBC unique correspondent Katty Kay within this particular brand-brand new episode of Olympian-focused speak with collection, Prominent. "When I left behind the sporting activity, I wished to provide my all of. I really did not wish to state 'I coulda, shoulda, woulda', therefore I left behind understanding that I possessed provided all of I might provide," Joyner-Kersee states.
Right after university, after that referred to as Jackie Joyner, she started educating for the seven-event heptathlon along with trainer Bob Kersee, which she went on wed. Joyner-Kersee stood for Group USA, contending in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles; Seoul 1988; Barcelona 1992; as well as Atlanta georgia 1996 Olympic video games. She won medals in each 4, consisting of 3 golds, however fasts towards details the development she underwent in between all of them.
Where towards discover Prominent along with Katty Kay
View it survive on Tuesdays at 22:30 ET on the BBC Information network
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"The distinction in between 1984 as well as 1988, I had not been psychologically difficult in '84," she informs Kay. "That problem in 1984 - I was actually hurt, as well as provided that I thought one thing was actually incorrect, I carried out this way. Afterwards, I desired to become the most difficult one available, as well as for the following 4 years, I qualified this way since I doubted myself. My trainers as well as colleagues counted on me greater than I performed! Therefore, when I entered into '88, I prepared towards provide my all of."