Frederick Carlton ("Carl") Lewis (born July 1, 1961) is a retired American track and field who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 golds, and 10 World Championship medal , of which 8 were golds, in a career that spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and subsequently retired. Lewis is now an actor and has appeared in a number of films.
Lewis was a dominant sprinter and long jumper who topped the world rankings in the 100 m, 200 m and long jump events frequently from 1981 to the early 1990s, was named Athlete of the Year by track and field news in 1982, 1983 and 1984, and set world record in the 100 m and 4 x 100 m relay. His world record the indoor long jump has stood since 1984 and his 65 consecutive victories in the long jump achieved over a span of 10 years is one of the sport’s longest undefeated streaks.
His lifetime accomplishments have led to numerous accolades, including being voted "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee and being named "Olympian of the Century" by the American sports magazine Sports Illustrated. He also helped transform track and field from its nominal amateur status to its current professional status, thus enabling athletes to have more lucrative and longer-lasting careers. In 2003 revelations of failed drug tests by Lewis before the 1988 Seoul Olympics put the validity of his achievements into question. Awards gotten:| Olympic Games | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1984 Los Angeles | 100 m |
| Gold | 1984 Los Angeles | 200 m |
| Gold | 1984 Los Angeles | 4x100 m relay |
| Gold | 1984 Los Angeles | Long jump |
| Gold | 1988 Seoul | 100 m |
| Gold | 1988 Seoul | Long jump |
| Silver | 1988 Seoul | 200 m |
| Gold | 1992 Barcelona | 4x100 m relay |
| Gold | 1992 Barcelona | Long jump |
| Gold | 1996 Atlanta | Long jump |
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 1983 Helsinki | 100 m |
| Gold | 1983 Helsinki | 4x100 m relay |
| Gold | 1983 Helsinki | Long jump |
| Gold | 1987 Rome | 100 m |
| Gold | 1987 Rome | 4x100 m relay |
| Gold | 1987 Rome | Long jump |
| Gold | 1991 Tokyo | 100 m |
| Gold | 1991 Tokyo | 4x100 m relay |
| Silver | 1991 Tokyo | Long jump |
| Bronze | 1993 Stuttgart | 200 m |
| Pan American Games | ||
| Gold | 1987 Indianapolis | Long jump |
Labels: Frederick Carlton Lewis
