Like many young people with chronic illness, Jackie Joyner-Kersee ignored signs and symptoms of the disease. She was diagnosed at 18 while a freshman at UCLA and, Once treated and feeling better, she relaxed her treatment regimen. This resulted in a nearly fatal asthma attack.
Despite her asthma, she was dominant women in women's track and field winning 6 gold medals in 4 consecutive Olympic Games. She remains the world record holder in the women's heptathalon. She was named Female "Athlete of the 20th Century" by Sports Illustrated for Women and ESPN named her one of the 50 Greatest Athletes.
