I actually had the pleasure of meeting Florence Griffith, before she married Al Joyner, at the LA Olympics in 1984.
I was a road cyclist, and somehow our paths crossed in the Olympic Village one day. I recall commenting on her amazingly long fingernails - they were at least 1.5 inches per finger - and brightly, BRIGHTLY coloured with intricate patterns - each different on each finger.
She was by no means a world beater in 1984 - I’m pretty sure she medalled for a bronze in the 200m and that was about it. She was on the “periphery” at the time.
Then, 3 years later - KA POW! She was blasting records everywhere - culminating one year later in her stellar performances at the Seoul Olympics.
Sadly, she passed away a few years ago at an exceedingly young age. I remember hearing the words “heart seizure” being used at the time to explain her death. But there were also some very dubious aspects to her unexpected death, too.
Does anyone here know further details?