The luminous trail that the fabulous Carl Lewis he left behind when he was the fastest man in the world, he is still clearly visible and indicates the trace of a human and professional path that was special. Today, Thursday 1 July, Carl Lewis turns 60. Its name is linked to the history of athletics. For what he did, for what he was.
The speed and the long jump were the hunting grounds of a sprinter who in the 80s ended up on the covers all over the world.
The IOC, the International Olympic Committee, has named him “Athlete of the twentieth century”. His consecration took place at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984; where he repeated the feat accomplished in 1936 by Jesse Owens in Berlin. He won 100, 200 and 4 × 100, plus the long jump race. He became the “Son of the wind”.
He ran with an unparalleled elegance, regal, imperious, dominant. Everything was easy for him. Able to win 100 meters twice at the Olympics: Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988. “Don’t worry, I’ll win another one,” he told his mother after having his father buried the Los Angeles gold medal. He was speaking. His career has been marked by longevity. Suffice it to say that the personal best in the long jump was obtained at the age of thirty, in 1991, in Tokyo (8.87 meters). At the Olympics he conquered nine gold medals and a silver one, from Los Angeles 84 to Atalanta 96.
Vegan, FAO ambassador for more than ten years, champion of civil rights and the fight against doping in sport, of progressive ideas (in 2012 he was a candidate with the Democratic Party), actor, showman tout court. “My career has been a long way with many battles. I am proud of what I have done, to have done it according to my wishes and to have also procured some good ». At the height of his career he posed for an advertising campaign for the great photographer Annie Leibovitz. At the starting blocks, with stiletto heels. it was a poster, maybe it meant something and that was a coming out. Puritan America put him on the cross and called him gay. For the other America, the most enlightened one, he became an icon.
He always chose which side to take. Rare quality in the world of sport. Not later than two years ago he openly sided against Trump: “He is racist, misogynist and full of prejudices.” When he stopped running he became a coach, never forgetting to spend himself in volunteering in the high schools of America.
Its slogan is only one: «Maybe you will be able to win. Or maybe not. In any case, try to always be the one to control the race ». It is valid in sport, it is valid in life. It was much talked about, highly respected, very successful. He has carried around the world – he has imposed, one might say – his extraordinary diversity. Class, style. power. He was never humble. He once said, “Others get better, we Lewis are perfect already.” On the track it flew. The “Son of the Wind” has been and continues to be a source of inspiration for many men and women around the world. The multiple Formula 1 world champion is named Lewis Carl – Lewis Carl Hamilton – in his honor.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
