Rare Olympian - Carl Lewis - fastest man - LA 1984 - Seoul 1988

Premasara EPASINGHE

Ones in a blue moon there appears an Olympian, who shines like a rear 'Evening Star' in two Olympic Games. In the cherished prestigious history of the greatest sports festival held in Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988, Carlton Frederick Lewis, popularly known as Carl Lewis, outshone all other athletes.

His childhood hero was Jessie Owens. He was one of the greatest in athletics history and undoubtedly the greatest sprinter up to 1936. He won four golds. the hero of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic, 23 year old Carl Lewis also won four gold medals and became the undisputed number one sprinter in the world, from 1984 to 1988.

He hails from a sporting family. Father Bill Lewis was a decent quarter-miler. Mother - Evelyn, was one of the world's best hurdlers in 1950s. His two brothers Mack and Cleve was also quality sportsmen. They played soccer. Carl Lewis's sister Carol, was a fine athlete. She was the first woman to clear 7 metres in long jump.

From Birmingham, Alabama, Lewis family moved into Philadelphia, suburb of Willingbom, New Jersey. Carl's parents were teachers. Carl was a slow learner and a late developer in sports. At High School, he gradually developed his athletic skills. His parents encouraged him to take part in athletics and other sports.

Once, he had a problem in one of knees and attended school using 'crutches'. His Maths teacher, who disliked sports shouted at Carl "You stupid rascal, I will tell you today, you are not going to be an Olympic athlete or a sportsman. Your taking part in sports will be an utter waste of time. Do you think you are going to be an Olympian - rubbish."

This comment hurt him. "He blew me off, in front of my class-mates."

"I thought, I will show my beloved Maths teacher and prove him he was wrong. I was determined. That was how I began my career. Maths Teacher's comments, it really helped me. I wanted to prove a point," stated Carl Lewis.

Carl Lewis's pet events were 100 yards and long jump. He was placed fourth in AAU junior in the long jump, ran 100 metres in personal best 10.5. Later, he leaped an impressive 8.07 metres at an Illinois High School meet. He was going from strength to strength. He gained a place in the 1979 Pan American Games team, in 1979 held at Puerto Rico. At the University of Houston, Carl Lewis was coached by Tom Tellez.

"Tom was my guide and coach. He inspired me, motivated me," stated Carl Lewis.

The year 1981 was a very special year for Carl Lewis. He performed the greatest double, leapt 8.25 and ran a 10 flat 100 m.

Carl Lewis won the 100 metres finals at Los Angeles Olympics in 9.99 seconds. His fellow American Sam Graddy and Canadian Ben Johnson were second and third respectively. Lewis' mother Eveyln, could not bear to watch his son running and father Bill waved at him. With a huge American flag, he did his lap of honour. The entire stadium - 92,600 spectators cheered him wildly.

As he was injured, he skipped the long jump. The spectators were really upset about it.

Carl Lewis won the third gold medal winning the 200 metres with a new Olympic record with a timing of 19.80. His other two American rivals Kirk Baptiste and Thomas Jefferson were placed second and third respectively.

He won his 'quadruple gold' when US relay team smashed another world record in the relay.

Lewis's greatest rival was Ben Johnson. This particular athlete Ben Johnson used to take drugs. Ben, administered three injections of Furazabol and hormone, about 26 days before the 100 m final in South Korea, expecting the time frame is enough to clear any suspicion.

In the 1988 Olympics, held at Seoul, the entire world was focussed on 100 m, the greatest sprint race of all times between Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis from Canada and USA respectively. It was like 'Greek meeting a Greek'. Both of them won their first heats. Johnson's timing was 10.37 and Lewis 10.14. In the second heat Ben Johnson was third. Lewis won his second heat with 9.99. Anyway, Johnson was qualified as one of the fastest losers. In the semis (100m) both Lewis (9.97) and Johnson (10.03) won their events.

The final was held after 90 minutes. For both Lewis and Johnson it was like 90 years. The finalist lined up - DA Silva (Brazil), Roy Stewart (Jamaica), Carl Lewis (USA - lane 3), Linford Christie, Alvin Smith, Ben Johnson (Canada - lane 6), David William (Canada), Dennis Mitchell (Canada).

For Lewis, it was a great sentimental moment. In 1984 Olympics the gold medal he won, was buried with his father and he promised the mother he will replace the gold medal in the Seoul Olymics. "Mum, I will replace the gold medal in 1988." For a moment Lewis would have thought that his father Bill must be watching from heaven.

"I will never forget the sight of Ben Johnson. His eyes were red. It showed the sign of drugs. The gun went off.

Johnson off to a flying start. He was marginally in front of Lewis. Ben Johnson cleared the tape in 9.79 seconds, an incredible world record. Lewis returned the time 9.92, placed second. After the medal ceremony, Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulrony, gave a telephone call, congratulated him.

Carl Lewis's hopes were dashed to the ground. Ben Johnson, spent nearly two hours in the testing area timing to provide his urine sample. He was dehydrated. After consuming about ten bottles of beer, Ben Johnson gave his urine sample.

Lewis attending a post press conference, very diplomatically said "I want to give my best. I am happy the way that I ran. Ben had a great time. His run was great," stated Carl Lewis.

Johnson adopted a different attitude in the press conference. Very he said, "I am Benjamin Sinclair Johnson Junior. This world harshly record will last for 100 years. More than anything I am thrilled to beat Carl Lewis."

The results of the urine sample test was announced in three days. On Monday, September 26, 1988, in the early hours, Canada's team doctor was awaken with the shocking news - Ben Johnson's test was positive. IOC's drug testing laboratory confirmed that Johnson have taken drugs to enhance his performance.

Thus world records of Ben Johnson of 9.83 in Italy in 1987 and 9.79 in South Korea Seoul Olympics were erased from the record books. Johnson's gold medal was retrieved. This was a shocker.

Thus, Carl Lewis who was second to Ben Johnson, with a timing of 9.92 was awarded the 100m gold medal in the Olympic Games held in South Korea on September 1988.

Carl Lewis about 50 years old and remains single. He is involved in social activities. He set up Carl Lewis Foundation to promote the development of youth and he stated he had an intention of entering politics, and run as a Democratic candidate for US Senate by contesting New Jersey. There are certain legal issue for him to settle, like residency period in New Jersey, should be cleared to contest.

It should be mentioned here that great Carl Lewis has nine (9) Olympic gold medals, eight (8) world championship gold medals and he was the first millionaire from athletics.

I presume his next 'gold' will be the White House.