#4: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Defies the Odds
If you watched the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, you probably remember Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Jackie was one of the most memorable track and field athletes to compete that year, and she set two world records that have yet to be beaten. By the time Jackie was competing in the 1988 games, she was so good that her coach had to invent an imaginary opponent, Wilhelmina World Record.
Jackie beat her real-life and imaginary opponents in the heptathlon by a long shot. She won the gold in the heptathlon and the long jump that year. Oh, and she happened to have a knee injury that year. Despite the odds, she set a record and won two gold medals. Jackie Joyner-Kersee went on to compete in the 1992 games and won the heptathlon competition again.