Florence Griffith-Joyner's 200m World Record Still Unmatched

Florence Griffith-Joyner's legendary 200-meter world record continues to define the event nearly four decades later. The mark of 21.34 seconds, set in 1988, remains the primary target for today's top sprinters, including Jamaica's Shericka Jackson, who headlines the Athletissima meet on Friday, August 21.

Why is FloJo's 200m record so difficult to beat?

Shericka Jackson is the only woman besides Florence Griffith-Joyner to have run under 21.50 seconds. Jackson has done it three times, with her best being 21.41 in 2022. Yet, that time is still seven-hundredths of a second shy of FloJo's record. The source story notes the 1988 time is viewed as "very suspect" by some, but it stands as the official benchmark. Jackson's performances between 2022 and 2023 placed five of the ten fastest times in history, creating a density of fast runs that still hasn't cracked the ultimate barrier.

This season, Jackson's best time is 21.87 seconds, showing the challenge of reaching peak form year after year. Her upcoming race at Athletissima in Lausanne is a key opportunity to close the gap.

What is the significance of the Athletissima meet?

The Athletissima meeting in Lausanne, scheduled for August 21, features a high-quality women's 200m. Shericka Jackson is the main attraction, directly challenging the ghost of Florence Griffith-Joyner's record with every stride. The meeting is also promoting a strong men's javelin field, including all the latest world and Olympic champions.

Another highlight is the men's 800m, where Emmanuel Wanyonyi's 1:41.11 run from two years ago sits just 0.20 seconds off David Rudisha's world record. A duel between Wanyonyi and Canada's Marco Arop is anticipated.

• Shericka Jackson is the only active sprinter to have run under 21.50 seconds, a feat she shares with Florence Griffith-Joyner.
• Jackson's personal best of 21.41 seconds, set in 2022, is the closest anyone has come to FloJo's 21.34-second record since 1988.
• The Athletissima meet on August 21, 2026, is a premier platform for record attempts in the 200m and 800m events.