Florence Griffith Joyner, popularly known as FloJo, is the fastest woman in the world, having set a historic record of 10.49 seconds in the 100 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She also holds the record for the 200 meters with a time of 21.34 seconds.
Her mark on history doesn’t stop at the racetrack. Flo Jo tended to compete with long nails, measuring 4-6 inches, brightly colored and decorated, which has made her a pop culture star to this day. Flo Jo combined fashion and sports, wearing sensational sportswear at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Trials, including a hooded bodysuit, what she called “one-legged” (an asymmetrical running suit silhouette that exposed the legs), a white crop top and bikini briefs over sheer white stockings, and a bikini with wild prints and bold colors worn over the pant legs. At the same games, she won Olympic medals for the U.S. team, including a gold medal in women’s track and field, with her red, white, blue and gold nails.
Flo Jo died in 1998 at age 38 after suffering an epileptic seizure, but her legend as an athlete and style icon lives on. Most recently, U.S. Team Sha’Carey Richardson won the silver medal in the women’s 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics with extremely long, sharp, and decorated nails.
See some of Flo-Jo’s best nails over the years here.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1991

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Florence Griffith Joyner shows off her nails at the 1991 Sports Festival.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1989


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Florence Griffith Joyner stands at the track before a race in 1989.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1988


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Florence Griffith Joyner shows off the medals she won at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1988


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American athlete Florence Griffith Joyner shows off her 1988 Olympic medal during a studio feature in Seoul.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1988


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Florence Joyner of the United States won the women’s 100 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1988


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Florence Joyner of the United States won the women’s 100 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1987


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Florence Griffith Joyner poses for a photo in 1987.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1987


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Florence Griffith Joyner and her husband Al Joyner in a portrait taken in 1987.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1987


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The portrait was taken in 1987 by Florence Griffith Joyner.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1987


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Florence Griffith Joyner pictured with her daughter Mary in 1987.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1987


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American athlete Florence Griffith-Joyner, wearing a hooded speed skating bodysuit, prepares to run in the women’s 200 metres final at the second IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Stadio Olimpico, the Olympic Stadium, in Rome, September 3, 1987.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1986


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Florence Griffith poses for a photo in 1986.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1986


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Florence Griffith poses for a photo in 1986.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1986


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Florence Griffith poses for a photo in 1986.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, circa 1984


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Florence Griffith Joyner works out in the weight room circa 1984.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1984


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Florence Griffith stands on the track before a race at the 1984 Olympic Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.
History of Flo Jo’s Nails, 1984


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American athlete Florence Griffith Joyner prepares for the women’s 200 meters during the United States Olympic Trials at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on June 20, 1984.