Joyner-Kersee Named Winner of Sullivan Award

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who set world records twice in the heptathlon last year, was named the 1986 winner of the Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete Monday night.

“This award means a lot to me, more than anything I’ve done in track,” Joyner-Kersee said. “There were so many great athletes, and to be considered the best is an honor beyond anything I expected.”

Joyner-Kersee became the 34th track and field performer and the eighth woman to receive the prestigious award in its 67-year history. It was the first time women had received the award in successive years. Distance runner Joan Benoit-Samuelson, who presented the award to Joyner-Kersee, was last year’s honoree.

“What I’ve been able to accomplish is because of my three ‘Ds’, desire, delight and dedication,” Joyner-Kersee said during the awards dinner. “Now I’ve added a fourth ‘D.’ Stay away from drugs.”

Joyner-Kersee, who recently scored a double in winning the women’s high hurdles and long jump with meet-record performances in the U.S. Olympic Invitational track and field meet, broke the world record in the heptathlon at the Goodwill Games by 202 points last year and topped that mark by 13 points during the U.S. Olympic Festival.

The announcement was an early birthday present for the former UCLA star, who will be 25 on March 3 and plans to compete in the world indoor track and field championships scheduled here later that week.

Joyner-Kersee, who began her career in East St. Louis, Ill., and now lives in Granada Hills, Calif., was selected from among 10 finalists, including USC basketball star Cheryl Miller, Navy basketball player David Robinson, Miami’s Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde, University of California swimmer Matt Biondi and volleyball star Charles (Karch) Kiraly.

Others included: Bruce Baumgartner, the first American to win the world heavyweight wrestling championship; Betsy Mitchell, who was named the U.S. swimmer of the year; gymnast Kristie Phillips, and reigning world figure skating champion Debi Thomas.