Pop star Carl Lewis rocked the world

By A. C. De Silva

OLYMPICS: The 1984 Olympic Games was an International event held in Los Angeles, Carlifornia, United States. Owing to the American boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games, Soviet and other Eastern bloc countries including Cuba, East Germany and others also boycotted the Los Angeles Games. Carl Lewis, making the first of four appearances at the Olympics, turned out to be the star in more ways than one. He equalled the 1936 performance of Jesse Owens by winning four gold medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres, 4 x 100 metres relay and long jump.

Frederick Carlton ("Carl") Lewis born July 1, 1961 is a retired American track and field athlete who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 golds, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were golds in a career that spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking in 1996 when he, last won an Olympic title and subsequently retired.

Lewis was a dominant sprinter and long jumper who topped the world rankings in the 100 metres, 200 metres and long jump events frequently from 1981 to the rarly 1990s, was named Athlete of the Year by Track and Field News in 1982, 1983 and 1984 and set world records in the 100 metres, 4 x 100 metres and 4 x 200 metres relays.

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, thus enabling athletes to have more lucrative and longer lasting careers.

Off the track, in his silver tights and high-strung manner of prancing about the track infield during workout, he resembled a professional dancer, not a world class athlete. He held the microphone as he holds the batton in the 4 x 100 metres relay on the dais and belted out a number for the Japanese television audience, Carl Lewis seemed to have found his true calling.

Japanese crazy about Lewis

"The Japanese certainly were crazy about him in his stunning, stage suit." said a local promoter as Carl Lewis sang 'He is a Star' - a well loved song to the solid beat of his band 'Electric Storm'.

Carl Lewis the star - well, the world has heard of a Carl Lewis who equalled the feat of an immortal of the sport, four golds in the Olympics, in the All-American extravaganza in Los Angeles in 1984. The World remembers the youngster with sculpted muscles and eager-beavy grin who spent as little time as possible in the Olympic village, didn't give even the time of the day to the international media, but won those golds with minimum fuss. After winning the first of those, he casually mentioned that "60 per cent of the job is over."

Lewis this, Lewis that...

The trouble with Carl Lewis, his detractors would tell anyone, is Carl Lewis. He has this habit of talking about himself in third person. He generally gives the impression - or that's what a much respected American author noted - that God is a house guest at the Lewis mansion back in Houston.

Old-timers would point to the humility of Jesse Owens and Joe Louis and the humour of Muhammad Ali. But on the flip side, it can be said that the nation watched with bubbling excitement as Owens was reduced to racing against horses. Louis, ruined by the taxmen and bad investments, made a living as doorman at a luxury hotel in Las Vegas.

A godsend

For all those who are against Lewis, he earned his living in a methodical manner. The Japanese were extremely happy with Lewis and his talents and they were the major contributors to his vast earnings. Fuji, Eerox and Suntony used his name for quite some time.

To the little nation which worships excellence in any field of human endeavour, Carl Lewis is godsend. He has neither the summer spring softness of Julio Iglesias nor the baritone of Roger Whittaker. But the body rhythm that has helped him blaze the track the world over, helps him on stage. Though 'He is a Star' might not be the appropriate title to launch his singing career, it made the Top Ten on the Japanese chart.

"I am holding back to find the right song, the right message, to conquer the other music markets," said Lewis.