Flo-Jo: The Fastest Woman in the World
Florence Griffith-Joyner, known to many as "Flo-Jo," was one of the most exciting and talented athletes in the history of sports. Born on December 21, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, she grew up in a big family and showed a talent for running at a very young age. Even as a small child, she was incredibly fast, reportedly even chasing down jackrabbits during visits to her father in the desert!
Florence was not just known for her speed; she was also famous for her unique sense of style. She loved fashion and often designed her own racing outfits. She became well-known for wearing colorful, one-legged tracksuits and long, brightly painted fingernails. She proved to the world that an athlete could be both a fierce, powerful competitor and a creative person at the same time. This personal flair made her a fan favorite and a true icon of the 1980s.
- Icon:
- A person who is very famous and admired as a symbol of something.
- Sprints:
- Short races run at the fastest speed possible.
- Legacy:
- Something handed down or remembered from the past.
- Flair:
- A unique and stylish way of doing something.
- Competitor:
- A person who takes part in a contest or sports event.
- sprinter:
- A runner who races at top speed over short distances.
More sheets from this passage
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vocabulary worksheet
Match the passage words to their meanings, then fill the missing words back into real sentences.
writing prompts
Two writing tasks that build on the passage, with plenty of lines to write on.
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About this biography passage for Upper Elementary
“Flo-Jo: The Fastest Woman in the World” is a biography reading passage about Track and Field, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (300 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.