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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

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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
Made
College
Olympics
Years
Greatest
Finish
Really
Lines
Unfortunately
Pact
Never
Happened
Fell
Freshman
Time
High
Ill
Junior
Year
Finished
Juniors
Mother
Saws
Finishing
Wanted
Line
Compete

More quotes by Jackie Joyner-Kersee

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I'm always challenged by someone.
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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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.
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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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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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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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The only person who can stop you from reaching your goals is you.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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I might attempt Zumba. I haven't yet, but I thought it would be a lot of fun and different.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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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
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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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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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I don't have to be enemies with someone to be competitors with them.
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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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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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
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We live in a world where sports have the potential to bridge the gap between racism, sexism and discrimination. The 2012 Olympic Games was a great start but hopefully what these games taught us is that if women are given an opportunity on an equal playing field the possibilities for women are endless.
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 don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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There is something about seeing myself improve that motivates and excites me.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee