Florence Griffith-Joyner's 100 and 200 meters world records are being challenged by top sprinters.
## What happened?
Florence Griffith-Joyner set the 100 mark of 10.49 at the U.S. Olympic Trials and the 200 mark of 21.34 on her way to a gold medal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
Her records have stood for generations, but now athletes like Gabby Thomas and Shericka Jackson are getting close.
## Why it matters for Florence Griffith-Joyner
Al Joyner, Florence's husband, said she would be sad but happy if her records were broken, as they are meant to be broken.
He recalled Florence saying it would be like losing a best friend.
## What comes next?
The Paris Games are coming up this summer, and sprinters are gearing up to challenge Florence Griffith-Joyner's records.
Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson nearly eclipsed Flo-Jo's 200 mark at the world championships in Budapest, Hungary, last summer, finishing in a time of 21.41 seconds.
Gabby Thomas said she believes the records can be broken with the technology and competition today.
Elaine Thompson-Herah got within shouting distance of Flo-Jo's 100 mark with a run of 10.54 seconds in 2021.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a 37-year-old Jamaican sprinter, has a career best of 10.60 seconds and is also on the precipice of challenging the record.
Florence Griffith-Joyner's legacy continues to inspire athletes, and her records remain a benchmark for excellence in track and field.
The sprinters are determined to break her records, and it will be exciting to see what happens at the Paris Games.
Al Joyner is eager to see the records broken, as it would be a testament to his wife's enduring legacy.
The world of track and field is waiting with bated breath to see if anyone can finally surpass Florence Griffith-Joyner's iconic records.
Florence Griffith-Joyner's Records Challenged
Sources & references
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