No one has matched the feats she set 10 years ago World Records in the 100- and 200-metre dashes, marks that still stand. And no one has duplicated the flair she displayed her flamboyant, colourful, one-legged outfits, her elaborate, well-polished, 6-inch (15-cm) fingernails.

Sprinter-hurdler Gail Devers and 400-meter hurdler Sandra Farmer Patrick have tried to emulate the glamour of Griffith Joyner, who died Monday of a heart-related problem at 38.

Farmer Patrick was devastated by Griffith Joyner's death. ``Florence was like a sister to me,'' she said, crying uncontrollably. ``We shared so much together. We shared lots of childhood memories and career goals. We had similar values and religious beliefs.''

``I chose her as my daughter's godmother for her strength and her courage,'' Farmer Patrick said. So did many others, even thoughthere were rumblings during the 1988 Olympics that Griffith Joyner was using performance-enhancing drugs because she appeared bulked up. Nothing ever was proven.

One special admirer was US President Bill Clinton.

``We were dazzled by her speed, humbled by her talent, and captivated by her style,'' Clinton said in a statement. ``Though she rose to the pinnacle of the world of sports, she never forgot where she came from, devoting time and resources to helping children especially those growing up in our most devastated neighbourhoods make the most of their own talents.''

Griffith was co-chair of the President's council on physical fitness and sports. One of the world's premier sprint coaches John Smith also appreciated her discipline and personality.

``She worked very hard,'' he said. ``She was relentless, she never stopped. Besides being beautiful, she had a work ethic bar none. The beauty of her was that she never changed. She was the same Flojo before and she was the same Flojo after."

GriffithJoyner authored many children's books, featuring the character Barry Bam Bam. She wrote poems, she was a beautician, an artist, a model and a clothes designer, she performed in movies and television and did numerous commercial endorsements. She did them all with style and grace. Just like she ran.