Editorial Notebook

The death of Florence Griffith Joyner on Tuesday was as sudden as it was tragic. The former female track star died at age 38, reportedly of heart failure.

The flamboyant "Flojo" sent shock waves through the sports world in 1988 when she shattered two of its most coveted records. At the U.S. Olympic trials in Indianapolis, she ran the 100 meters in 10.49 seconds.

Since setting that mark, no other female sprinter has come closer than 10.60. And at the Seoul Olympics, where she won three gold medals, she ran the 200 meter dash in 21.34 seconds, setting another seemingly unbreakable record. Only one other woman (Marion Jones at 21.62) has ever run 200 meters in less than 21.70 seconds.

In a sport where records are usually broken by only a hundredth of a second, her accomplishments are the equivalent of Joe Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak or Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points in a single game.

But Flojo received as much attention for her fashion statements as for her athletic exploits. At the 1988 Olympic trials, she wore a purple body suit without a left pant leg. For the Olympics of that same year, she painted three of her fingernails red, white and blue, and a fourth one gold to symbolize her quest.

Griffith Joyner's rare combination of ability and style gave her name recognition on a par with the world's top male athletes and brought well-deserved attention to her sport. She did for the popularity of women's track and field what Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa have done for the appeal of baseball. She also used her star status to benefit children. In recent years, she has helped kids through sports programs and a series of books.

Flojo's legacy will certainly live on for many years to come. It will be present in her incredible world records, the countless athletes she inspired, and the fans who she attracted to her sport.