Carl Lewis

“Pure Athlete. And was the best in world in 2 different events. One is hard enough. One out of 5 billion times 2 is not bad. Plus he was one of the best for a very long time. 15 plus years.”

“Carl was the most exciting track athlete of all time. Track athletes are purest form of athleticism. His shear presence turned the competition into rubber and for 12 years he was basically the only player in the Long Jump (Minus 1 jump from Powell - who too turned to rubber at the Olympics). Speaking of Olympics. The Olympics are the biggest stage in the history of the world for athletic demonstration. Carl was the best of all times and proved it 4 straight times. His 1991 Tokyo world record win was spine chilling considering he was 'over-the-hill' by that time in sprinting. And did I mention that he was obviously a clean athlete when the rest of the sport was doping like mad. Carl, like Michael Jordan was just a step above all other greats in his sport. Remember too, the 100m sprint is the most competitive sporting event in the world. Carl was the best at this event for 8 years, and happed to make time to be even better at other events. Michael Jordan was the scoring leader for 10 years and happened to make time for golf and baseball. ï�Š Carl Lewis is the greatest athletic competitor of all times.”

“Four golds in a row in long jump, where no one else has ever won two. Win streak over a decade long. Jumped over 29 feet three times in one meet(the same number of times the rest of the world has done it since the Creation). More jumps over 28 feet than all other humans combined. Had a jump over 30 feet(! ) in 1983 that, but for an official's error, would have broken Beamon's unbreakable record by a foot! Only person to repeat as 100m Olympic champion. Nine gold medals ( but for two relay blunders by others, it would be 11! ). Universally acknowledged as the fastest man EVER with a running start, even to this day. Instrumental in turning the Olympics from a money loser to the most sought after and desired event in world. Ability so far above all others in world that he was able to force IOC to allow its athletes to become professionals and so lengthen their careers and so aggrandizes the Olympics and all former amateur sports.”

“To measure the best athlete in the world the criteria must include speed and leap.

Lewis was the best in the world at both of these basic skills for over 10 years. No one is a better athlete.”