Why a 36-year Florence Griffith-Joyner Olympic 200m track record could fall at the 2024 Paris Olympics

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One of the greatest American Olympic women’s track and field stars ever is Florence Griffith-Joyner, who set the world record in the 200m at the 1988 Seoul Olympics with a time of 21.34.

After roughly 36 years of holding the impressive record, it’s possible another Olympic athlete could claim it during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Team Jamaica track and field star Shericka Jackson stands to challenge Griffith-Joyner for her 200m world record, which makes this year’s Olympic track and field 200m event all the more exciting.

Jackson won a silver medal during the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 4x400m relay and a bronze in the women’s 400m before taking three medals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, including the gold in the 4×100 relay.

The Team Jamaica track and field standout has gotten close in the 200m to breaking Griffith-Joyner’s record, making this Olympic attempt her latest run at claiming it for herself.

We’ll see soon enough if Jackson can push for the gold in the 200m and break Griffith-Joyner’s longstanding world record in the event.