Earlier this month, Comcast teamed up with U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, Jackie Joyner-Kersee to surprise kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Emerald Valley at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field in Eugene. There, Kersee spoke to the students about going the distance and reaching new heights – helping inspire the next generation to overcome obstacles and achieve their own goals.
![Olympic Trials - Jackie Joyner-Kersee + Boys & Girls Club](https://s20326.comcast-corpcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/30_CD_AP_edit-1024x671.jpg)
“Have goals for yourself. Never give up on yourself. You can turn a doubter into a believer as long as you believe. But always be mindful to listen to what your teachers, your counselors, the staff people are asking you to do. And it doesn’t cost to put a smile on your face and be kind to yourself and be kind to one another,” said Kersee.
As seen today, Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s remarkable journey makes her a role model for many. Jackie made her debut as a U.S. Olympian in 1984 and during the Olympic Games Seoul 1988, she won gold in the heptathlon and long jump, breaking records and establishing herself as a top athlete. She continued her winning streak with another heptathlon gold and a long jump bronze at the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992. Her final Olympic Games appearance in 1996 saw her win another bronze in the long jump, bringing her total to three golds, one silver, and two bronze medals.
![Olympic Trials - Jackie Joyner-Kersee + Boys & Girls Club](https://s20326.comcast-corpcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/38_CD_AP_edit-1024x694.jpg)
![Olympic Trials - Jackie Joyner-Kersee + Boys & Girls Club](https://s20326.comcast-corpcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/26_CD_AP_edit-1024x703.jpg)
![Olympic Trials - Jackie Joyner-Kersee + Boys & Girls Club](https://s20326.comcast-corpcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/33_CD_AP_edit-1024x711.jpg)
![Olympic Trials - Jackie Joyner-Kersee + Boys & Girls Club](https://s20326.comcast-corpcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/31_CD_AP_edit-1024x707.jpg)
The 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field took place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Right before meeting Jackie Joyner-Kersee, members of the Boys and Girls Club got to experience the joy and excitement of the trials from Comcast’s suite that overlooks the field and the rest of the University of Oregon’s campus.
Comcast is proud to be the company that brings the thrill and excitement of the Olympic & Paralympic Games Paris 2024 home to Americans. With NBCUniversal’s iconic storytelling and Xfinity’s innovative technology, we have the unique privilege of sharing Team USA’s inspiring stories of hard work, resilience, joy, and achievement.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony will kick off on NBC and Peacock on July 26.