In a poll conducted by Tass, the...

In a poll conducted by Tass, the Soviet News Agency, Florence Griffith Joyner, who won 3 gold medals at the Seoul Olympics, was named athlete of the year.

Swimmer Kristin Otto of East Germany, who won 6 gold medals, was second. Steffi Graf of West Germany, who won tennis’ grand slam, was third.

Tass polled 36 news agencies in 32 countries. Griffith Joyner was picked first on 12 ballots, Otto on 11 and Graf on 6. It was the first time in nearly 20 years that women finished 1-2-3.

Swimmer Vladimir Salnikov, a gold medalist at the Moscow and Seoul Olympics, was named Soviet sportsman of the year for the fourth time. Pole vaulter Sergei Bubka finished second, basketball player Arvydas Sabonis was third and gymnast Vladimir Artemov was fourth.