Jackie Joyner-Kersee was named Sports Illustrated’s Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century, and today we celebrate her birthday and her accomplishments. She won gold in the Heptathlon in ’88 and ’92, silver in ’84, and bronze for the long jump in ’96. She began her career wearing Adidas, and later switched to Nike. She was one of two (Michael Johnson) featured track stars in the Air Max 96 print ads.

She has since returned to adidas, partnering with them through her JJK Foundation to create opportunities and provide resources to her hometown of East St. Louis, IL. adidas celebrated the people and history within the Black community last month through their project, Honoring Black Excellence.

Her spikes from the ‘84 Olympic trials are currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington DC.