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How did Jackie Joyner-Kersee become the first heptathlete to score more than 7,000 points?
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Jackie Joyner-Kersee
American athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee throwing the javelin during the heptathlon at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee became the first heptathlete to score more than 7,000 points on July 7, 1986, at the Goodwill Games in Moscow. On this occasion, she set a world record with 7,148 points, surpassing the previous record by 202 points.1
A heptathlon is a track-and-field competition consisting of seven events spread over two days. The events include the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200-meter run on the first day, followed by the long jump, javelin throw, and 800-meter run on the second day. Athletes earn points for their performance in each event, and the competitor with the highest total score wins.23