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The 2012 London Olympic Games fostered a generation of hope. I witnessed women participating for the very first time, representing every nation.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Age: 62
Born: 1962
Born: March 3
Athletics Competitor
Basketball Player
Olympic Athlete
East St. Louis
Illinois
Jacqueline Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Women
Representing
Firsts
London
First
Generation
Every
Generations
Time
Nation
Fostered
Games
Witnessed
Nations
Olympic
Hope
Participating

More quotes by Jackie Joyner-Kersee

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Winning is great, but being able to finish my last Olympic Games on American soil was very important. Even though I was injured, I didn't let my psyche get the best of me and cause me to doubt myself, so I was willing to pull every muscle in my body in '96 in order to get the job done and I came away with the bronze medal.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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There is something about seeing myself improve that motivates and excites me.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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Give back in some way. Always be thoughtful of others.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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I really do miss playing basketball. I don't play a lot of pick-up games. But I do like using basketball as a form of cross training.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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It wasn't until I was 14 and watched the 1976 Olympic games on television that I really started to dream about the big time. I remember seeing Evelyn Ashford in the 100 meters, and she was going to UCLA.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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I learned to listen and listen very well. It helped me athletically and in the classroom as well.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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Teaching kids about health and fitness is important to me. It's about being fit for life.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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I'm not shy. I'm modest, but I'm very outgoing.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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I'm a realist and I always have been.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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Girls playing sports is not about winning gold medals. It's about self-esteem, learning to compete and learning how hard you have to work in order to achieve your goals.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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My denial and irresponsible attitude about asthma put me at great risk and caused me so much needless suffering. My hope is that the kids I talk to learn to open up about their asthma, become educated about their condition, and seek help.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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Ask any athlete: We all hurt at times. I'm asking my body to go through seven different tasks. To ask it not to ache would be too much.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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I'm always challenged by someone.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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I always keep myself in a position of being a student.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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Society always needs a level playing field. In order to do that, you have to have opportunity, and providing that opportunity begins with 'how do we bridge that gap,' that so-called Digital Divide? How can we get internet into every home possible?
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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Don't follow in any footprints, make your own prints. Because, you are the future of tomorrow.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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The greatest finish line for me was finishing college - it was a pact I made with my mother, during a time when she fell ill. That happened during my Freshman year, and unfortunately she never saw me compete in the Olympics. But she really wanted me to finish college, because she never finished Junior High.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee