These Olympians Have Excelled Despite Serious Health Issues - Page 18 of 25

Jackie Joyner-Kersee – Track and Field, USA

Jackie Joyner-Kersee sports an impressive track record (no pun intended), earning three gold medals in the four games she’s competed in. She’s considered one of the best female runners and athletes of all time…

Photo of Jackie Joyner-Kersee, track and field athlete who competed at Olympics despite suffering form asthma — PHOTO: BIOGRAPHY.COM

This title has been hard-earned, as Joyner-Kersee suffers from severe asthma. After almost dying from an intense asthma attack, she worked to get the issue under control and pushed on to become the Olympic great she is today.