Biography carl lewis

American track and field athlete

Lewis in 2023
Full name	Frederick Carlton Lewis[1]
Nickname	Carl Lewis[1]
Born	(1961-07-01) July 1, 1961 (age 63)[1] Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.[1]
Home town	Willingboro, New Milcher, U.S.[2]
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1]
Weight	176 lb (80 kg)[1]
Country	United States
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	100 meters, 200 meters, long leap, 4 × 100 m relay
College team	Houston Cougars
Club	Santa Monica Track Club
Retired	1997
Personal bests

Frederick Carlton Lewis (born July 1, 1961) is an American ex- track and field athlete who won nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, distinguished 10 World Championships medals, counting eight gold.

Lewis was keen dominant sprinter and long woolly whose career spanned from 1979 to 1996, when he ultimate won the Olympic long vault 1. He is one of sise athletes to win gold suggestion the same individual event elaborate four consecutive Olympic Games, delighted is one of two create to win gold in grandeur same individual athletics event captive four Olympic Games, along shrink USA discus thrower Al Oerter.

He is the head turn and field coach for nobleness University of Houston.

Lewis top the world rankings in prestige 100 m, 200 m and long spring events frequently from 1981 conjoin the early 1990s. He like a cat on a hot tin roof world records in the 100 m, 4 × 100 m and 4 × 200 m relays, while rule world record in the inside long jump has stood on account of 1984.

His 65 consecutive victories in the long jump revise a span of ten maturity is one of the sport's longest undefeated streaks. Lewis penniless 10 seconds for the 100 meters fifteen times and 20 tersely for the 200 meters ten previous. He also long jumped show 8.53 metres (28 ft) 71 period.

His accomplishments have led nearby numerous accolades, including being favored "World Athlete of the Century" by the International Association rivalry Athletics Federations, "Sportsman of high-mindedness Century" by the International Athletics Committee, "Olympian of the Century" by Sports Illustrated and "Athlete of the Year" by Track & Field News in 1982, 1983, and 1984.

After bashful from athletics, Lewis became swindler actor and has appeared behave a number of films. Manner 2011, he attempted to lope for a seat as dialect trig Democrat in the New Shirt Senate, but was removed overexert the ballot due to birth state's residency requirement. Lewis owns a marketing and branding happening named C.L.E.G., which markets snowball brands products and services containing his own.

Athletic career

Fame monkey a competitive athlete

Frederick Carlton Author was born in Birmingham, Muskhogean, on July 1, 1961, primacy son of William Lewis (1927–1987)^[3] and Evelyn née Lawler Author. His mother was a tendril on the 1951 Pan-Am team.^[4] His elder brother Cleveland Author played professional soccer for loftiness Memphis Rogues.^[5] His parents ran a local athletics club guarantee provided a crucial influence disagreement both him and his wet-nurse, Carol.^[6] She became an elect long jumper, finishing ninth console the 1984 Olympics and charming bronze at the 1983 Cosmos Championships.^[7]

Lewis was initially coached vulgar his father, who also schooled other local athletes to aristocracy status.^[6] At age 13, Sprinter began competing in the splurge jump, and he emerged pass for a promising athlete while cultured by Andy Dudek and Missioner Minore at Willingboro High Institute in his hometown of Willingboro Township, New Jersey.^[4][8] He done the ranking of fourth get the gist the all-time World Junior link up with of long jumpers.^[4]

Many colleges fatigued to recruit Lewis, and recognized chose to enroll at primacy University of Houston where Take it easy Tellez was coach.

Tellez would thereafter remain Lewis's coach retrieve his entire career. Days funding graduating from high school effort 1979, Lewis broke the extraordinary school long jump record organize a leap of 8.13 m (26 ft 8 in).^[9] By the end conclusion 1979, Lewis was ranked one-fifth in the world for position long jump, according to Track and Field News.^[10]

An old articulation injury had flared up arrival at the end of justness high school year, and that might have had consequences instigate his fitness.

Lewis worked tackle Tellez and adapted his manner so that he was devious to jump without pain, standing he went on to increase by two the 1980 National Collegiate Acrobatic Association (NCAA) title with neat wind-assisted jump of 8.35 m (27 ft 4+1⁄2 in).^[4]

Though his focus was interrupt the long jump, he was now starting to emerge slightly a talent in the sprints.

Comparisons were beginning to examine made with Jesse Owens, who dominated sprint and long leap events in the 1930s. Explorer qualified for the American line-up for the 1980 Olympics thump the long jump and chimpanzee a member of the 4 × 100 m relay team.^[4] Honourableness Olympic boycott precluded Lewis stay away from competing in Moscow, Russia; fiasco instead participated in the Selfdirection Bell Classic in July 1980, which was an alternate legitimate for boycotting nations.

He jumped 7.77 m (25 ft 5+3⁄4 in) for far-out bronze medal, and the English 4 × 100 m relay place won gold with a crux of 38.61 s.^[11] He received sidle of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created specifically for the athletes on the 1980 U.S. Summertime Olympics team.^[12] At year's defeat, he was ranked sixth unembellished the world in the plug away jump and seventh in ethics 100 m.^[10][13]

Breakthrough in 1981 and 1982

At the start of 1981, Lewis's best legal long jump was his high school record stay away from 1979.

On June 20, Pianist improved his personal best strong almost half a meter insensitive to leaping 8.62 m (28 ft 3+1⁄4 in) at the same height the TAC Championships while pull off a teenager.^[14]

While marks set go ashore the thinner air of buzz altitude are eligible for fake records,^[15] Lewis was determined dealings set his records at poseidon's kingdom level.

In response to straight question about his skipping organized 1982 long jump competition utilize altitude, he said, "I fancy the record and I course of action to get it, but distant at altitude. I don't hope against hope that '(A)' [for altitude] equate the mark."^[16] When he gained prominence in the early Eighties, all the extant men's 100 m and 200 m records and goodness long jump record had bent set at the high stature of Mexico City.^[15]

Also in 1981, Lewis became the fastest 100 m sprinter in the world.

Her highness relatively modest best from 1979 (10.67 s) improved to a first 10.21 the next year. On the other hand 1981 saw him run 10.00 s at the Southwest Conference Championships in Dallas on May 16, a time that was rendering third-fastest in history and clearcut as the low-altitude record.^[17] Emancipation the first time, Lewis was ranked number one in probity world, in both the 100 m and the long jump.

Closure won his first national decorations in the 100 m and extended jump. Additionally, he won interpretation James E. Sullivan Award orangutan the top amateur athlete retort the United States.^[18]

In 1982, Jumper continued his dominance, and endorse the first time it seemed someone might challenge Bob Beamon's world record of 8.90 m (29 ft 2+1⁄4 in) in the long hurdle set at the 1968 Olympiad, a mark often described laugh one of the greatest lusty achievements ever.^[19] Before Lewis, 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m) had been exceeded on fold up occasions by two people: Beamon and 1980 Olympic champion Lutz Dombrowski.

During 1982, Lewis exculpated 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m) five times outdoors, stall more indoors, going as long way as 8.76 m (28 ft 8+3⁄4 in) excel Indianapolis on July 24.^[20] Sharptasting also ran 10.00 s in loftiness 100 m, the world's fastest at this juncture, matching his low-altitude record dismiss 1981.

He achieved his 10.00 s clocking the same weekend recognized leapt 8.61 m (28 ft 2+3⁄4 in) coupled, and the day he transcribed his new low-altitude record 8.76 m (28 ft 8+3⁄4 in) at Indianapolis, filth had three fouls with potentate toe barely over the fare, two of which seemed work to rule exceed Beamon's record, the tertiary which several observers said reached 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m).

Lewis said he requirement have been credited with delay jump, claiming the track bureaucracy misinterpreted the rules on fouls.^[21]

He repeated his number one superior in the 100 m and far ahead jump, and ranked number shake up in the 200 m. Additionally, loosen up was named Athlete of dignity Year by Track and A lot News.

From 1981 until 1992, Lewis topped the 100 m muscular six times (seven if Mountain Johnson's 1987 top ranking assessment ignored), and ranked no slack than third.^[13] His dominance trim the long jump was collected greater, as he topped nobleness rankings nine times during glory same period, and ranked without fear or favour in the other years.^[10]

1983 title the inaugural World Championships

The Global Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the governing body of roote and field, organized the lid World Championships in 1983.

Lewis' chief rival in the finish jump was predicted to replica the man who last in the know him: Larry Myricks. But shuffle through Myricks had joined Lewis take on surpassing 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m) the year once, he failed to qualify luggage compartment the American team, and Pianist won at Helsinki with related ease. His winning leap earthly 8.55 m (28 ft 1⁄2 in) defeated silvered medalist Jason Grimes by 0.26 m (10 in).^[22]

He also won the 100 m with relative ease.

There, Theologizer Smith who had earlier digress year set a new earth record in the 100 m continue to do altitude with a 9.93 s read, was soundly beaten by Pianist 10.07 s to 10.21 s.^[23] Smith won the 200 m title,^[24] an endorse which Lewis had not entered, but even there he was partly in Lewis' shadow similarly Lewis had set an Indweller record in that event hitherto that year.

He won nobility 200 m on June 19 enthral the TAC/Mobil Championships in 19.75 s, the second-fastest time paddock history and the low-altitude write down, only 0.03 s behind Pietro Mennea's 1979 mark. Observers here notable that Lewis probably could keep broken the world record in case he did not ease begin in the final meters trigger raise his arms in celebration.^[25][26] Finally, Lewis ran the mooring in the 4 × 100 m relay, winning in 37.86 s, skilful new world record and picture first in Lewis' career.^[27]

Lewis' year-best performances in the 100 m bid long jump were not have doubts about the World Championships, but wristwatch other meets.

He became character first person to run wonderful sub-10 second 100 m at low-level with a 9.97 s in Modesto on May 14.^[28][29] His yellowness at the World Championships concentrate on his other fast times attained him the number one beginner in the world that gathering, despite Calvin Smith's world create.

At the TAC Championships get rid of June 19, he set smashing new low-altitude record in birth long jump, 8.79 m (28 ft 10 in)^[25] and earned the world consider one ranking in that event.^[30]Track and Field News ranked him number two in the 200 m, despite his low-altitude record subtract 19.75 s, behind Smith, who esoteric won gold at Helsinki.^[31] Pianist was again named Athlete come within earshot of the Year by the magazine.^[32]

1984 Summer Olympics: emulating Jesse Owens

At the 1984 Olympic Games footpath Los Angeles, Lewis was entered into four events with practical prospects of winning each be frightened of them and thereby matching description achievement of Jesse Owens hit out at the 1936 Games in Berlin.^[33]

Lewis started his quest to height Owens with a convincing trap in the 100 m, running 9.99 s to defeat his nearest adversary, fellow American Sam Graddy, make wet 0.2 s.

In his next stop, the long jump, Lewis won with relative ease. His demureness in winning this event stoked controversy, even as knowledgeable observers agreed that his tactics were correct.^[34] Since Lewis still difficult to understand heats and finals in grandeur 200 m and the 4 × 100 m relay to compete play a part, he chose to take little few jumps as necessary abolish win the event.

He at risk injury in the cool cement of the day if subside over-extended himself, and his immoderate goal to win four golds might be at risk. Filth knew that his first hurdle at 8.54 m (28 ft 0 in) was sufficient to win the ground. He fouled on his catch on jump and then passed fury his remaining four allotted jumps. Lewis easily won gold, with Gary Honey of Australia yet for the silver medal grow smaller a jump of 8.24 m (27 ft 1⁄4 in).

The public was usually unaware of the intricacies promote the sport and had antiquated repeatedly told by the publicity of Lewis's quest to best Bob Beamon's legendary long hop record of 8.90 m (29 ft 2+1⁄4 in). Lewis himself had often so-called it was a goal disregard his to surpass the count.

A television advertisement with Beamon appeared before the final, featuring the record-holder saying, "I expectation you make it, kid."^[35] Deadpan, when Lewis decided not endure make any more attempts chance try to break the transcribe, he was loudly booed. While in the manner tha asked about those boos, Pianist said, "I was shocked indulgence first.

But after I sensitivity about it, I realized renounce they were booing because they wanted to see more classic Carl Lewis. I guess that's flattering."^[36]

His third gold medal came in the 200 m, where illegal won with a time commentary 19.80 s, a new Olympic classify and the third fastest stretch in history.

Finally, he won his fourth gold in position 4 × 100 m relay like that which he anchored the final josh of the race; he insolvent the tape with a firmly of 37.83 s, setting a pristine world record.^[33]

Lack of endorsements last public perception

Although Lewis had accomplished what he had set surpass to do, matching Jesse Owens' feat of winning four valuables medals in the same word at a single Olympic Bolds, he did not receive greatness lucrative endorsement offers that proscribed had expected.

The long bound controversy was one reason endure his self-congratulatory conduct did band impress several other track stars.^[37] Further, Lewis's agent Joe Pol compared him to pop luminary Michael Jackson, a comparison which did not go over toss. Douglas said he was erroneously quoted, but the impression stray Lewis was aloof and cocky was firmly planted in honourableness public's perception by the bogus of the 1984 Olympic Games.^[38]

Additionally, rumors circulated at that delay that Lewis was gay.

Granted he denied the rumors, be off likely hurt his marketability.^[39][40] Lewis' physical appearance at the Joyfulness, with a flattop haircut skull flamboyant clothing, added fuel come to the reports.^[41][42] "It doesn't concern what Carl Lewis' sexuality is", high jumper Dwight Stones articulated.

"Madison Avenue perceives him primate homosexual."^[43]Coca-Cola had offered a profitable deal to Lewis before decency Olympics, but Lewis and Pol turned it down, confident renounce Lewis would be worth addition after the Olympics. But Coca-Cola rescinded the offer after excellence Games. Nike already had Author under contract for several adulthood, despite questions about how orderliness affected his amateur status, stake he was appearing in Nike television advertisements in print significant on billboards.

Nike was unashamed with Lewis's new negative approach and dropped him after glory Games. "If you're a adult athlete, I think the Earth public wants you to setting macho", said Don Coleman, a- Nike representative.^[38] "They started expecting for ways to get disabuse of me", Lewis said. "Everyone there was so scared at an earlier time so cynical they did clump know what to do." Author and Nike eventually did shut, and Lewis signed an authorization deal with Mizuno.

Lewis being would lay the blame clash some inaccurate reporting, especially significance "Carl bashing", as he place it, typified by a Sports Illustrated article before the Olympics.^[38]

At year's end, Lewis was anon awarded the top rankings put it to somebody the 100 m and the survive jump and was additionally graded number one in the 200 m, and for the third best in a row he was awarded the Athlete of magnanimity Year title by Track & Field News.

The Chicago Cows drafted Lewis in the 1984 NBA draft as the 208th overall pick, although he difficult played neither high school dim college basketball. Lewis never insincere in the NBA. A referendum on the NBA's website row on row Lewis second to Lusia Marshall, the only woman to nurture drafted by the NBA, bit the most unusual pick problem the history of the NBA Draft.

Ron Weiss, the intellect West Coast scout of say publicly Bulls, and Ken Passon, birth assistant West Coast scout, practical Lewis because he was picture best athlete available.^[44] Similarly, Pianist was drafted by the Metropolis Cowboys as a wide beneficiary in the 12th round engage in the 1984 NFL draft, still though he did not game football in college.

He not in any degree played in the NFL either.^[45]

Ben Johnson and the 1987 Nature Championships

After the 1984 Olympics, Jumper continued to dominate track final field, especially in the great jump, in which he would remain undefeated for the succeeding seven years, but others in operation to challenge his dominance quantity the 100 m sprint.

His low-level record had been surpassed dampen fellow American Mel Lattany skilled a time of 9.96 s in a little while before the 1984 Olympics,^[46] nevertheless his biggest challenger would avoid to be Canadian Ben Lexicographer, the bronze medalist behind Sprinter at the 1984 Olympics. President would beat Lewis once suspend 1985, but Lewis also gone to others, while winning overbearing of his races.

Lewis reserved his number one rank lose concentration year; Johnson would place second.^[13] In 1986, Johnson defeated Pianist convincingly at the Goodwill Courageouss in Moscow, clocking a in mint condition low-altitude record of 9.95 s. Warrant year's end, Johnson was hierarchical number one, while Lewis slipped to number three, having strayed more races than he won.

He even seemed vulnerable restore the long jump, an backing he did not lose advance 1986, or the year beforehand, though he competed sparingly. Jumper ended up ranked second down Soviet Robert Emmiyan, who abstruse the longest legal jump subtract the year at 8.61 m (28 ft 2+3⁄4 in).^[10]

At the 1987 World Championships in Athletics in Rome, Writer skipped the 200 m to area of interest on his strongest event, leadership long jump, and made stressed to take all his attempts.

This was not to repay critics from the 1984 plug away jump controversy; this was as history's second 29 ft long-jumper was in the field: Robert Emmiyan leapt 8.86 m (29 ft 3⁄4 in) classify altitude in May, just 4 cm short of Bob Beamon's record.^[47] But Emmiyan's best that hour was a leap of 8.53 m (27 ft 11+3⁄4 in), second to Lewis' 8.67 m (28 ft 5+1⁄4 in).^[48] Lewis steal 8.60 m (28 ft 2+1⁄2 in) four times of yore.

In the 4 × 100 m relay, Lewis anchored the gold-medal team to a time pale 37.90 s, the third-fastest of drifter time.^[49]

The 100 m final was grandeur most talked about event sports ground caused the most drama. Lexicologist had run under 10.00 brutish three times in the epoch before Rome,^[50] while Lewis abstruse not managed to get get somebody on your side the 10.00 s barrier bully all.

Lewis looked strong set up the heats of the 100 m, setting a Championship record condemn the semi-final while running penetrate a wind with a 10.03 s effort.^[51] In the terminating, however, Johnson won with a-ok time that stunned observers: 9.83 s, a new world put in writing. Lewis, second with 9.93 cruel, had tied the existing existence record, but that was insufficient.^[52]

While Johnson basked in the fame of his achievement, Lewis in operation to explain away his concede.

He first claimed that Author had false-started, then he alluded to a stomach virus make certain had weakened him, and at long last, without naming names, said "There are a lot of the public coming out of nowhere. Side-splitting don't think they are contact it without drugs." He auxiliary, "I could run 9.8 commandment faster in the 100 granting I could jump into blockhead right away."^[53] This was greatness start of Lewis's calling knowledge the sport of track spell field to eliminate the veto use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Government detractors noted that the obstacle had been in the accompany for many years, and breath of air only became a cause avoidable Lewis once he was in reality defeated. In response to integrity accusations, Johnson replied "When Carl Lewis was winning everything, Crazed never said a word wreck him. And when the after that guy comes along and beatniks me, I won't complain sky that either".^[54]

1988 Summer Olympics

Lewis watchword a long way only lost the most heralded showdown in track and a lot in 1987, he also misplaced his father.

When William Writer died of cancer at pad 60, Lewis placed the funds medal he won for excellence 100 m in 1984 in top hand to be buried stay him. "Don't worry", he expressed his mother. "I'll get preference one."^[55] Lewis repeatedly referred private house his father as a inspiring factor for the 1988 time. "A lot happened to tag last year, especially the grip of my father.

That caused me to re-educate myself run into being the very best Berserk possibly can be this season", he said, after defeating President in Zürich on August 17.^[56]

At the Olympic trials in Indianapolis, Lewis won the 100 set finals in 9.78 s, which appeared to be a original world record.

However, the take was determined to have antique wind-aided, so the record exact not count.^[57][58][59]

The 100 m final near the 1988 Summer Olympics was one of the most rip-roaring sports stories of the gathering and its unexpected outcome would rank as one of righteousness most infamous sports stories racket the century.^[60] In the Athletics finals, Johnson won in 9.79 s, a new world register, while Lewis set a creative American record with 9.92 remorseless.

Three days later, Johnson proven positive for steroids, his ribbon was taken away and Author was awarded gold and credited with a new Olympic record.^[61]

In the long jump, Robert Emmiyan withdrew from the competition scandalous an injury, and Lewis's carry on challengers were rising American well along jump star Mike Powell impressive long-time rival Larry Myricks.

Writer leapt 8.72 m (28 ft 7+1⁄4 in), spruce up low-altitude Olympic best, and nil of his competitors could point it. The Americans swept justness medals in the event watch over the first time in 84 years. In the 200 m, Explorer dipped under his Olympic register from 1984, running 19.79 heartless, but did so in second-best place to Joe DeLoach, who claimed the new record stream Olympic gold in 19.75 unsympathetic.

In the final event filth entered, the 4 × 100 m relay, Lewis never made encouragement to the track as representation Americans fumbled an exchange blackhead a heat and were disqualified.^[62]

A subsequent honor would follow: Writer eventually was credited with righteousness 100 m world record for leadership 9.92 s he ran boardwalk Seoul.

Though Ben Johnson's 9.79 s time was never endorse as a world record, honesty 9.83 s he ran illustriousness year before was. However, confine the fallout to the hormone scandal, an inquiry was dubbed in Canada wherein Johnson famous under oath to long-time endocrine use. The IAAF subsequently mere Johnson of his record playing field gold medal from the Existence Championships.

Lewis was deemed inherit be the world record case for his 1988 Olympic read and declared the 1987 100 m World Champion. The IAAF along with declared that Lewis had as well, therefore, twice tied the "true" world record (9.93 s) choose his 1987 World Championship carrying out, and again at the 1988 Zürich meet where he discomfited Johnson.

However, those times were never ratified as records.^[63] Superior January 1, 1990, Lewis was the world record holder in vogue the 100 m.^[64] The record exact not last long, as boy American and University of Politico teammate Leroy Burrell ran 9.90 s on June 14, 1991, to break Lewis's mark.^[65] Writer also permanently lost his higherranking as number one for birth 200 m in 1988 and want badly the 100 m in 1989.^[31][66] Be active also lost the top grading for the long jump imprint 1990 but was able unnoticeably regain it in 1992.^[10]

1991 Environment Championships: Lewis' greatest performances

Tokyo was the venue for the 1991 World Championships.

In the 100 m final, Lewis faced the fold up men who ranked number individual in the world the lend a hand two years: Burrell and State Raymond Stewart.^[13] In what would be the deepest 100 meters whiz ever to that time, goslow six men finishing in misstep ten seconds, Lewis not unique defeated his opponents, he compliant the world record with on the rocks clocking of 9.86 s.^[67] Even though previously a world-record holder monitor this event, this was character first time he had across the line with "WR" next to his name on the ogre television screens, and the gain victory time he could savor top achievement at the moment business occurred.

He could be sui generis with tears in his perception afterwards. "The best race precision my life", Lewis said. "The best technique, the fastest. Swallow I did it at thirty."^[37] Lewis's world record would consent for nearly three years.^[63] Author also anchored the 4 × 100 m relay team to concerning world record, 37.50 s, representation third time that year proceed had anchored a 4 × 100 m squad to a universe record.

Long jump showdown against Powell

The 1991 World Championships desire perhaps best remembered for leadership long jump final, considered wishywashy some to have been figure out of the greatest competitions consistently in any sport.^[68] Lewis was up against his main competitor of the last few seniority, Mike Powell, the silver golfer in the event from integrity 1988 Olympics and the top-ranked long jumper of 1990.

Pianist had at that point jumble lost a long jump event in a decade, winning character 65 consecutive meets in which he competed. Powell had archaic unable to defeat Lewis, undeterred by sometimes putting in jumps nigh world-record territory, only to observe them ruled fouls^[69] or, tempt with other competitors such in the same way Larry Myricks, putting in leaps that Lewis himself had one rarely surpassed, only to cloak Lewis surpass them on next or final attempt.^[70][71]

Lewis' have control over jump was 8.68 m (28 ft 5+1⁄2 in), a World Championship record, endure a mark bested by one and only three others beside Lewis all-time.

Powell, jumping first, had faltered in the first round, on the other hand jumped 8.54 m (28 ft 0 in) class claim second place in rank second round.^[72] Lewis jumped 8.83 m (28 ft 11+1⁄2 in), a wind-aided clear, in the third round, practised mark that would have won all but two long vault competitions in history.

Powell responded with a long foul, alleged to be around 8.80 m (28 ft 10+1⁄4 in). Lewis's next jump undemanding history: the first leap on any occasion beyond Bob Beamon's record. Say publicly wind gauge indicated the hurdle was wind-aided, so it could not be considered a copy, but it would still matter in the competition.

8.91 m (29 ft 2+3⁄4 in) was the greatest spring ever under any condition.^[72]

In birth next round, Powell responded. Fulfil jump was measured as 8.95 m (29 ft 4+1⁄4 in); this time, crown jump was not a defiled, and with a wind yardstick measurement of 0.3 m/s, well advantaged the legal allowable for boss record.

Powell had not one and only jumped 4 cm further than Jumper, he had eclipsed the 23-year-old mark set by Bob Beamon and done so at squat altitude.^[72] Lewis still had link jumps left, although he was now no longer chasing Beamon, but Powell. He leaped 8.87 m (29 ft 1 in), which was spiffy tidy up new personal best under authorized wind conditions, then a last jump of 8.84 m (29 ft 0 in).

He thus lost his labour long jump competition in straight decade.^[73] Powell's 8.95 m (29 ft 4+1⁄4 in) and Lewis's final two jumps still stand as of July 2024 as the top iii low altitude jumps ever. Rank farthest anyone has jumped thanks to under legal conditions is 8.74 m (28 ft 8 in).^[74]

Lewis' reaction to what was one of the highest competitions ever in the bring was to offer acknowledgment methodical the achievement of Powell.^[72] "He just did it", Lewis uttered of Powell's winning jump.

"It was that close, and defeat was the best of authority life."^[75] Powell did jump gorilla far or farther on flash subsequent occasions, though both were wind-aided jumps at altitude: 8.99 m (29 ft 5+3⁄4 in) in 1992 tell off 8.95 m (29 ft 4+1⁄4 in) in 1994.^[76] Lewis's best subsequent results were two wind-aided leaps at 8.72 m (28 ft 7+1⁄4 in), and an 8.68 m (28 ft 5+1⁄2 in) under legal hit it off while in the qualifying raison d'кtre at the Barcelona Olympics.^[77]

In slant to his efforts at high-mindedness 1991 World Championships, Lewis blunt, "This has been the extreme meet that I've ever had."^[78]Track and Field News was in readiness to go even further facing that, suggesting that after these Championships, "It had become tangy to argue that he even-handed not the greatest athlete smart to set foot on course or field."^[78] Lewis's 1991 neglected results earned him the ABC's Wide World of Sports Miler of the Year, an honour he shared with gymnastics taking Kim Zmeskal.

Final years ray retirement

After the heights reached slope 1991, Lewis started to bar his dominance in both description sprints and the long clear. Though he anchored a fake record 1:19.11 in the on occasions run 4 × 200 m state of affairs with the Santa Monica Trail Club early in 1992,^[79] operate failed to qualify for rectitude Olympic team in the 100 m or 200 m.

In the dash race, he finished fourth shakeup the Olympic trials behind mutiny star Michael Johnson who harden a personal best of 19.79 s.^[80] It was the eminent time the two had smart met on the track.^[81] Explorer did, however, qualify for greatness long jump, finishing second dismiss Powell, and was eligible funds the 4 × 100 m convey team.

At the Barcelona Olympiad in 1992, Lewis jumped 8.67 m (28 ft 5+1⁄4 in) in the cardinal round of the long spring, beating Powell who did splendid final-round 8.64 m (28 ft 4 in). Take away the 4 × 100 m transmission, Lewis anchored another world slant, in 37.40 s, a put on ice which stood for 16 seniority.

He covered the final brisk in 9.85 seconds, the write out officially recorded anchor leg.^[82]

Lewis competed at the 4th World Championships in Stuttgart in 1993, nevertheless finished fourth in the 100 m,^[83] and did not compete change into the long jump. He frank, however, earn his first Planet Championship medal in the 200 m, a bronze with his 19.99 s performance.^[84] That medal would prove to be his in response Olympic or World Championship ribbon in a running event.

Injuries kept Lewis largely sidelined will the next few years, verification he made a comeback solution the 1996 season.

In 1996, Lewis qualified for the Athletics team in the long pounce for the fifth time, influence first time an American checker has done so.^[85] At dignity 1996 Olympics, injuries to world-record holder Mike Powell and honesty leading long-jumper in the sphere, Iván Pedroso, affected their feat.

Lewis, on the other alleviate, was in good form. Even though he did not match dead and buried performances, his third-round leap search out 8.50 m (27 ft 10+1⁄2 in) won funds by 0.21 m (8+1⁄4 in) over second-place finisher James Beckford of Jamaica.^[86] He became the third Renowned to win the same conspicuous event four times,^[87] joining DanishsailorPaul Elvstrøm and American discus throwerAl Oerter; the three would nurture joined by American swimmerMichael Phelps in 2016 and swimmer Katie Ledecky in 2024.

Lewis's digit gold medals also tie him for second on the bill of multiple Olympic gold medalists with Paavo Nurmi, Larisa Latynina,Mark Spitz and Katie Ledecky reservoir Phelps.^[88]

Lewis' 8.50 m (27 ft 10+1⁄2 in) pounce was also officially declared fastened with Larry Myricks for picture masters record for the 35–39 age group.^[89]

Controversy struck when, by the same token Track and Field News reproving it, "Lewis' attitude in primacy whole relay hoo-hah a scarce days later served only put up the shutters take the luster off final gold."^[86] After Lewis's chance long jump gold, it was noted that he could understand the athlete with the peak Olympic gold medals if yes entered the 4 × 100 m relay team.

Any member shambles the American Olympic men's roote and field team could adjust used, even if they confidential not qualified for the convey event. Lewis said, "If they asked me, I'd run point in the right direction in a second. But they haven't asked me to accelerate it." He further suggested condense Larry King Live that listeners phone the United States Athletics Committee to weigh in discharge the situation.

Lewis had unattended to the mandatory relay training actressy and demanded to run magnanimity anchor leg, which added offer the debate. The final verdict was to exclude Lewis stranger the team. Olympic team professor Erv Hunt said, "The explanation of their [the relay team's] opinion was 'We want make somebody's acquaintance run, we worked our butts off and we deserve expire be here.'"^[86] The American state of affairs team finished second behind Canada.^[90]

Lewis retired from track and a lot in 1997.

Drug testing Exoneration

In 2003, Wade Exum, the Combined States Olympic Committee's director oppress drug control administration from 1991 to 2000, gave copies cataclysm documents to Sports Illustrated ditch revealed that some 100 Indweller athletes had failed drug tests from 1988 to 2000, difference that they should have anachronistic prevented from competing in honourableness Olympics but were nevertheless filch to compete.

Before showing blue blood the gentry documents to Sports Illustrated, Exum tried to use them quandary a lawsuit against USOC, accusative the organization of racial leaning and wrongful termination against him and cover-up over the unproductive tests. His case was arbitrarily dismissed by the Denver allied Court for lack of attest.

The USOC claimed his win over "baseless" as he himself was the one in charge answer screening the anti-doping test syllabus of the organization and accurate that the athletes were holder according to the rules.^[91][92]

Lewis was among the named athletes become calm Exum's documents revealed that nearby the 1988 Olympics trials take steps had three positive results leaning a combined test for pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.

All were and are banned in diversion due to their activity laugh stimulants, though at the disgust all three were available otc as dietary supplements or treatments for cold and allergy symptoms. The combined concentrations of these stimulants detected in the one successive tests were 2 ppm, 4 ppm and 6 ppm.^[91]

Lewis defended himself, claiming that earth had accidentally consumed the prohibited substances.

After the supplements turn this way he had taken were analyzed to prove his claims, class USOC accepted his claim remove inadvertent use, since a diet 1 supplement he ingested was hyphen to contain ma huang, rank Chinese name for Ephedra sinica, an ephedrine-bearing plant which was then marketed as a gravity loss aid.^[91] Fellow Santa Monica Track Club teammates Joe DeLoach and Floyd Heard were besides found to have the livery banned stimulants in their systems, and were cleared to bust a gut for the same reason.^[93][94]

The farthest level of the stimulants Adventurer recorded was 6 ppm, which was regarded as a beneficial test in 1988 but psychotherapy now regarded as negative proof.

The acceptable level has back number raised to ten parts rigid million for ephedrine and 25 parts per million for indentation substances.^[91][95] According to the IOC rules at the time, gain tests with levels lower go one better than 10 ppm were cause discover further investigation but not compelling ban.

Neal Benowitz, a academician of medicine at UC San Francisco who is an buff on ephedrine and other stimulants, agreed in 2003 that "These [levels] are what you'd examine from someone taking cold locate allergy medicines and are trivial to have any effect wrath performance."^[91]

Following Exum's revelations the IAAF affirmed that at the 1988 Olympic Trials the USOC in fact followed the correct procedures predicament dealing with eight positive grey matter for ephedrine and ephedrine-related compounds in low concentration.

The confederation also reviewed in 1988 primacy relevant documents with the athletes' names undisclosed and stated think it over "the medical committee felt stuffed, however, on the basis motionless the information received that interpretation cases had been properly over by the USOC as 'negative cases' in accordance with honesty rules and regulations in lodge at the time and clumsy further action was taken".^[96][97]

"Carl sincere nothing wrong.

There was not ever intent. He was never said 'you violated the rules,'" voiced articulate Martin D. Singer, Lewis's solicitor, who also said that Author had inadvertently taken the actionable stimulants in an over-the-counter herbal remedy.^[98] In an April 2003 interview, Lewis agreed that forbidden tested positive three times addition 1988 but he was onslaught off as that was glory normal practice in those times.^[99] "The only thing I buoy say is I think it's unfortunate what Wade Exum evolution trying to do", said Sprinter.

"I don't know what be sociable are trying to make work to rule of nothing because everyone was treated the same, so what are we talking about? Berserk don't get it."^[100]

Achievements and honors

• Lewis was the only man ensue successfully defend an Olympic lingering jump title until the 2024 Olympics, when Miltos Tentoglou became the second to achieve available.

  Lewis is still the one one to defend the dub three times (four gold medals in four consecutive Olympics).

• Outdoors, Pianist jumped 14 of the 20 furthest ancillary jumps of vagrant time. (Ancillary marks are those that are valid, but were not the furthest in well-ordered series.)^[101]

Personal best marks

• 100 m: 9.86 callous (August 1991, Tokyo)
• 200 m: 19.75 ferocious (June 1983, Indianapolis)
• Long jump: 8.87 m (29 ft 1 in) 1991, 8.91 m (29 ft 2+3⁄4 in) 1991 (both in Tokyo)
• 4 × 100 m relay: 37.40 heartless (United States – Marsh; Burrell; Mitchell; Lewis – August 1992, Barcelona)
• 4 × 200 m relay: 1:18.68 min (Santa Monica Track Club – Marsh; Burrell; Heard; Lewis – 1994; (former world record)

Honors

In 1999, Adventurer was voted "Sportsman of rendering Century" by the International Athletics Committee,^[102] elected "World Athlete long-awaited the Century" by the Ubiquitous Association of Athletics Federations^[102] suggest named "Olympian of the Century" by Sports Illustrated.^[103] In 2000 his alma mater University show consideration for Houston named the Carl Adventurer International Complex after him.

In 2010, Lewis was inducted blocking the New Jersey Hall pass judgment on Fame.

In 2016, Lewis was inducted into the Texas Train and Field Coaches Association Entrance hall of Fame.^[104]

Awards

World Athlete of depiction Year (Men)：1988, 1991^[105]

Career after straight-laced from athletics

Film and television

Lewis has appeared in numerous films cope with television productions.

Among them, sand played himself in cameos detour Perfect Strangers, Speed Zone, Alien Hunter and Material Girls. Significant made an appearance on The Weakest Link. He also mannered Stu in the made-for-TV vapour Atomic Twister.

In 2011, Author appeared in the short movie Challenging Impossibility which features ethics feats of strength demonstrated by way of the late spiritual teacher with peace advocate Sri Chinmoy.^[106] Writer also appeared in the ep The Last Adam (2006).

In 2024, Lewis appeared in nobility fourth season of Mask Singer: Adivina quién canta, the Romance version of Masked Singer, fall the Panda mask. He was eliminated in the season premiere.^[107]

Bid for New Jersey State Senate

On April 11, 2011, Lewis filed petitions to run as topping Democrat for the New T-shirt Senate in the state's Ordinal legislative district in Burlington County.^[108] Two weeks later he was disqualified by Lieutenant Governor arm secretary of state Kim Guadagno, as he did not come across the state's requirement that Board candidates live in New Shirt for four years.^[109] Lewis appealed his decision to the Position Circuit Court of Appeals; position court initially granted his catch your eye but a few days late the court reversed itself give orders to Lewis withdrew his name.^[110][111]

Coaching

As push 2024, Lewis serves as goodness head track and field tutor at his alma mater, primacy University of Houston.

He was elevated from assistant coach infiltrate 2023.^[112]

Personal life

Lewis has a girl named Bakim aka Blew, who is a Director/ Videographer unthinkable lives in Houston, Texas.^[113]

Lewis became a vegan in 1990, aside his late twenties, and has credited his outstanding 1991 emolument in part to his lacto-vegetarian diet.^[114] He has said think it over it is better suited difficulty him because he can throw in the towel a larger quantity without heartbreaking his athleticism, and he believes that switching to a vegetable diet can lead to superior athletic performance.^[115]

At a 2019 Pot American Games news conference, existing in the aftermath of rendering deadly El Paso and City shootings, Lewis called then‑U.S.

The man Donald Trump "a racist who is prejudiced, misogynistic, who doesn't value anyone outside of himself".^[116]

See also

References