新澳门开奖结果

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis at the Save The World Awards show 2009 By Manfred Werner –

Lewis鈥檚 career is one of the most celebrated in track and field history. Renowned for his multiple gold wins and for breaking his already amazing personal record in the long jump. Carl rose to become a house hold name in the track and field athletics world and is an inspiration to aspiring athletes. Here are 10 unbelievable facts about the champion Carl Lewis you may not know.

1. His parents were both world-class athletes

Frederick Carlton Lewis was born on July 1, 1961, in Birmingham, Alabama to Evelyn Lawler his mother who was a retired American track and field athlete. She competed and finished 6^th for the United States in the 80 meters hurdles at the 1951 Pan American Games and his father William Lewis, was an Olympic gold medalist.

Both of Carl鈥檚 parents started the Willingboro Track Club in 1969 for the local youth in athletics. The turnup was great with more than 3,000 youngsters participating in the club, including several All-America athletes and national record-holders.

2. Carl Lewis was drafted by both the Chicago Bulls and the Dallas Cowboys

Lewis was drafted by The Chicago Bulls after the head of the west coast scout Ron Weiss and his assistant Ken Passon recommended him in the 1984 NBA Draft. He ranked 208th overall pick despite not having any expertise in basketball. He was only drafted because he was the best athlete available.

The Dallas Cowboys also drafted Carl as a wide receiver in the 12^th round of the NFL Draft. Similar to  basketball in the Chicago Bulls, Carl Lewis had never played football at any point in his life. He never pursued a career in both and was never signed to any of those clubs.

3. Carl Lewis underwent a huge growth spurt in his teenage years

Growing up, carl was small for his age so much so his sister would make fun of him calling him 鈥榮horty鈥�.  By the age of 15, his body underwent dramatic changes in growth with him growing about 2陆 inches in one month.

These changes were so extreme and abrupt to his body forcing him to use crutches until his body adjusted to the drastic change. He went around on crutches for 3 weeks.

4. He broke the high school record 

Lewis performing the long jump at the University of Houston By University of Houston –

After graduating from high school in 1979, Carl Lewis went on to brake the high school long jump record with a leap of 8.13 m /26 ft 8 in. According to Track and Field News at the end of 1979, Carl went ahead to be ranked fifth place around the world for his prowess in the long jump.

5. He ran for a seat in the New Jersey Senate

In 2011, Carl Lewis decided to run for a seat in the New Jersey Senate. He was supported by New Jersey Democrats who wanted him against the Republican state Sen. Dawn Addiego.

Both New Jersey’s statehouses were controlled by currently Democrats. Republican Guadango ruled out Lewis on claims that he had failed to meet the four-year residency requirement. This was upsetting for Lewis  as he had grown up in New Jersey before going to college.

6. Carl Lewis became the fastest 100-meter sprinter in the world.

Lewis sprinting at the 1984 Olympics By KUHT –

Lewis kept getting faster and jumping farther despite still being a teenager. In the 1981 track field and Outdoor Championships, Carl broke his personal best by jumping 28 ft 3 录 inches.

Furthermore, he was given the title of fastest 100 m sprinter in the world at the Southwest Conference Championships with an impressive time of 10 seconds.

7. He lost his deal with Coca-Cola

During his heydays, Carl dominated the track and long jump breaking records. With his growing popularity, Coca-Cola offered him a lucrative contract before the 1984 Olympics.

Carl and his agent turned it down, as they assumed they would get a better offer after his Olympic performance. He outshined in the Olympics by winning 4 gold medals in 1984 and was dubbed the fastest athlete in the history of the sport at the time.

However, Coke rescinded their offer due to Carl’s negative image. He was portrayed as vain, flamboyant, and his belief that the rules don’t apply to him. Carl was alienated, unlike his fellow athletes who garnered widespread admiration and signed numerous endorsement deals.

8. He was almost banned from the Olympics 

Lewis tested positive for small amounts of banned stimulants: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine thrice. According to the international rules at the time, any athlete found doping would be suspended for three months.

After being disqualified, Lewis appealed to the national Olympic committee and was cleared based on inadvertent use due to an over-the-counter health tonic.

Moreover, Carl’s lawyer, Martin Singer, responded in defense of his client surrounding the situation stating Carl had only taken a herbal remedy.

9. He broke a world record

Lewis broke the 100m record world with a time of 9.86 at the 1991 World Championships when he was 30. In the 1996 Olympic Trials, Carl qualified third in the long jump, broadcasting his amazing athletic ability. His colorful gold studded career has earned him many awards and accolades such as:

• Nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal
• 10 World Championships medals, including eight that were gold.
• In 1981 he was awarded the Sullivan Award for the nation’s top amateur athlete.
• 1984 he was named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year.
• 1999 he was named greatest U.S. Olympian of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated
• 2001 he was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame among many others.

10. He is a vegan

Lewis in 1996 By Kingkongphoto &amp –

Carl has been vegan since 1990 and has attributed his achievements to the plant-based diet. He was quoted saying, 鈥淢y best year of track competition was the first year I ate a vegan diet.鈥�

However, before going vegan, Lewis dominated both sprinting and the long jump. A year after starting the vegan diet, Carl started losing his dominance in both athletic sports.

Throughout his career, Carl Lewis has been able to rise above the challenges and his legacy continues as one of the world鈥檚 most achieved athletes of his time.