``Florence brought a certain style to track, something so different, with her fashionable appearance and her stunning speed,'' said Patricia Rico, president of USA Track and Field.
In the judgment of Greg Foster, a three-time world champion in the 110-meter hurdles, her death cost the sport ``one of the great track and field athletes in history.''
Paramedics were called to Mrs. Griffith Joyner's home after her husband, Al Joyner, reported finding her ``unresponsive and not breathing'' yesterday morning, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Paramedics determined that Mrs. Griffith Joyner had died in her sleep, although the cause of death is under investigation.
Primo Nebiolo, the head of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, track's international federation, said he knew Mrs. Griffith Joyner had ``some serious heart problems in recent months,'' although one of her brothers, Weldon Pitts, said she had shown no sign of illness recently.
Mrs. Griffith Joyner had suffered a seizure two years ago on a flight from California to St. Louis, and was hospitalized for a day.
Her family did not disclose the ailment.
At the time of her death, Mrs. Griffith Joyner held world records in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.
``She was one of the great characters of track and field, a personality who marked a generation of athletes with her performances and individuality,'' Nebiolo said.
The seventh of 11 children, Mrs. Florence Griffith was born Dec. 21, 1959. She grew up in Watts, the black neighborhood in Los Angeles that was virtually destroyed in the 1965 race riots.
A runner since age 7, Mrs. Griffith Joyner first drew international attention when she placed fourth in the 200 meters at the 1983 world championships. The next year, she won a silver medal in the 200 at the Los Angeles Olympics.
