Joetta Clark Diggs

August 1, 1962 -

The eldest Clark sibling, Joetta was born in East Orange, New Jersey before earning worldwide acclaim as a four-time Olympian, 11-time USA National Champion in the 800-meter and 1,500-meter categories, and one of the most accomplished middle-distance runners in U.S. History.

Joetta was undefeated in the 800-meter race while attending and competing at Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ. She is the only athlete in N.J. history to win the State Meet of Champions for four consecutive years and remains the state record holder for the 800-meter outdoor.

After high school, Joetta moved on to compete at the University of Tennessee, where she became a nine-time NCAA champion and All-American. She graduated with a B.A. in public relations in 1984 before reaching the pinnacle of her track & field career, competing in the 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympic Games.

During her career, Joetta competed in 20 USA Indoor and Outdoor Championships and 5 Olympic Trials and ranked among the top 10 Americans for more than 21 years. From 1991 until 1998, she was ranked among the top 10 globally, ranking as high as fourth in 1998. In addition, she has set World and American records, captured World Championship medals, and served as the Captain of the Women’s USA Team in 2000.

In 2000, Joetta retired from competitive running to establish a career as a motivational speaker, businesswoman, author, and television personality. Since launching the Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Foundation in 2002, Joetta has touched the lives of countless students as she works to promote physical activity and a positive work ethic among the next generation. In addition to more than 50,000 students served by this program, Joetta has also awarded more than $75,000 in scholarships through her Joetta’s Geniuses Programs and partnered with numerous schools to present her Head 2 Toe Fitness® Eliminate Excuses™ curriculum.

In 2009, Joetta authored her first book Joetta’s “P” Principles For Success: Life Lessons Learned From Track & Field. The acclaimed book has been considered a tremendous resource to both corporate executives and children. Her accolades include induction into the USA Track & Field, New Jersey, and University of Tennessee Halls of Fame, and being named the Star-Ledger Women’s Athlete of the Century.

Joetta is married to Ronald Diggs, and they have one child, Talitha, who has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a competitive Track & Field athlete.