The London 2012 Olympic Games features more female athletes competing for Team USA than male athletes for the first time in Olympic history. In honor of this incredible feat, we want to shine a spotlight on some of the most successful and celebrated female Olympians in USA history.
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie is one of the most decorated female athletes of all time. The four-time Olympian was part of the Women’s Basketball team and she won the gold medal in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. Leslie is one of only two USA basketball athletes to win four medals. During her third Olympics she became the all-time leading scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker in USA Olympic history. Not only is Leslie an incredible athlete, she is also a model, and has appeared many magazines, including Vogue and Glamour.
Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm is a three-time Olympic medalist. As a member of the women’s soccer team, she won gold in 1996 and 2004, and took home the silver in 2000. She still holds the record for the most international goals scored, at 158, and in 2004, she received the prestigious honor of carrying the American flag at the 2004 Closing Ceremonies in Athens.
Florence Griffith-Joyner
Florence Griffith-Joyner, also knows as “Flo-Jo”, took part in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic games as a member of the USA Track & Field team where she ran both the 100 and 200-meter sprints, as well as the 4×100 and 4×400 meter relays. She received five total medals in the 1984 and 1988 games, including 3 gold and 2 silver. To this day, she holds the record for the 100 and 200-meter race, and is still considered to be the “fastest woman in the world”. Not only was Flo-Jo famous for her incredible speed, she also became well known for her six-inch long, brightly colored nails that she sported while competing.
