Flo-Jo and her husband Al (above her left shoulder) at the NAILS cover shoot.

Flo-Jo and her husband Al (above her left shoulder) at the NAILS cover shoot.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Florence Griffith Joyner brought glamour and record speed to women's track and field, becoming as well known for her long, painted nails as her sports abilities. At the young age of 38, Griffith Joyner (endearingly referred to as Flo-Jo) died in her sleep September 21. At press time, her cause of death was still unknown, although a heart seizure is suspected.

As the "World's Fastest Woman," Flo-Jo was known for her style on and off the track. her custom-designed running outfits, glittery jewelry, and three-inch long nail-art painted fingernails turned heads and put her on the map as one of the world's most glamorous athletes.

Her beauty, success, and of course, those eye-catching nails, made her a perfect candidate for a NAILS cover, and we were honored when she agreed to appear on our February 1993 issue. During her interview, Flo-Jo related a funny anecdote: In one of her races, she was jostled by a runner in the next lane and one of her long nails broke off. As soon as she crossed the finish line, she ran back on the track to search for the lost nail.

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