Olympian of the century, Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis is the first athlete who won the gold medal in the men’s 100m and long jump in the inaugural IAAF World Championships in Athletics Helsinki 1983. 

He was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 1 1961. Like other famous printers, he emerged as a promising athlete from his childhood. He achieved good records in short-distance and long jump. He was qualified for the American team for the Moscow Olympics 1980 in long jump but didn't compete due to the Olympic Boycott. So, he got bronze medal in long jump at Liberty Bell Classic in July 1980. In 1981, he became the fastest 100m sprinter in the world.  

At the first IAAF World Championships in Helsinki 1983, Lewis got gold medal in long jump with his winning leap of 8.55m and he also won the 100m as 10.07s by beating silver medalist Calvin Smith.

One year later in Los Angeles Olympics 1984, he collected his first gold medal in the 100m running 9.99s and second in long jump at a distance of 8.54m. His third one from 200m a time of 19.8s and finally, he won his fourth gold he anchored finish line a time of 37.83.

This made him the second man who won four gold medals since Jesse Owens. He frequently discussed his wish to match Jesse Owen’s achievement of winning four gold medals at a sole Olympic Games.

In Seoul Olympics 1988, Ben Johnson won in men’s 100m in 9.79s, while Lewis set a record with 9.92s. But Johnson was disqualified with positive for steroids; gold medal went to Lewis again. Lewis added one more gold medal in long jump.

He also won three gold medals in the IAAF World Championships in Tokyo 1991, two gold medals in Barcelona Olympics 1992 and gold medal at long jump in Atlanta Olympics 1996.

He was recorded as field athlete who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold and 10 World Championships medals. He won the Sullivan Awards as the top amateur athlete in the United States and also listed in Olympics Hall of Fame.

The fact is that he created miracle history which made by his persistent striving and people still remember him as a great legend.