Jackie Joyner-Kersee to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Joyner-Kersee fans. Speculation had been rife that heptathlon legend is about to announce her retirement from sports, at age 64, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 22/10/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an athlete isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an athlete just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJackie

For a little while on Wednesday evening, #ThankYouJackie was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Jackie Joyner-Kersee was unlike any other athlete we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouJackie”
— @universalObserver, 21 Oct 2026

“I thought Jackie Joyner-Kersee retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 21 Oct 2026

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