This text is replaced by the Flash movie.

The Institute for International Sport is honored to announce Jackie Joyner-Kersee as the Chair of the 2009 National Sportsmanship Day. Jackie is considered one the greatest female athletes in history, having won a total of six Olympic medals: a silver medal in the heptathlon in the 1984 Olympics and gold medals in the heptathlon in 1988 and 1992 Games. She also won a gold medal in the long jump in 1988 and a bronze at the 1992 Olympics. Jackie currently holds the world record in the heptathlon that she set in 1988 and the American Record in the long jump.

Jackie’s humanitarian and philanthropic accomplishments are equal to her athletic accomplishments. Since Jackie’s retirement from sport in 2001 at age 38, she has invested her time and energy into giving back. Jackie started the highly successful Jackie Joyner Youth Center Foundation to encourage underprivileged kids in her hometown of St. Louis to play sports. Jackie is dedicated to helping others and teaching the value of sport. She works tirelessly traveling around the world to deliver speeches about fair play and sportsmanship. Jackie was a starting founder of the non-profit organization "Athletes for Hope", and she continues to raise money and expand the reach of her Foundation for Youth.

Jackie has received numerous awards for her citizenship and humanitarianism. A quote that exemplifies Jackie's extraordinary generosity and character is "Once I leave this earth, I know I've done something that will continue to help others." Jackie Joyner-Kersee embodies all of the qualities of a true sportsperson and we are proud that Jackie has teamed with the Institute for International Sport to teach important lessons about fair play in conjunction with the 2009 National Sportsmanship Day, to be celebrated on March 4.