Joyner-Kersee, who won the Goodwill Games heptathlon in New York three days earlier, finished sixth in the long jump at the US Open IAAF Grand Prix meeting here.

``I knew it would be tough to come here from the heptathlon,'' she said. ``Tonight was more about being out there, giving the fans a chance to see me. All in all, I would have liked to jump better, but I can't be disappointed. I leave the sport healthy.''

A crowd of 9,100 turned out at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, not far from her hometown of East St Louis, to see the three-time Olympic gold medalist in 1988 and 1992 in heptathlon and in 1988 in long jump say farewell.

Her best jump of the evening was her last, a leap of 6.39m.

``I really didn't want it to end, but I always told myself you can't run forever.'' She didn'tlose her composure until she thanked her fans. ``I've heard so much bad news about my hometown,'' she said her voice breaking as she stood in the infield surrounded by people.