Carl Lewis Reigned

CARL LEWIS REIGNED over the track world for nearly two decades. In 1997, he crowned his career with an encore performance at the end of the European summer track season.

The 36-year-old athlete, who captured nine gold medals in four Olympics, ran his final race at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. At the same site where Jesse Owens made Olympic history, Lewis anchored the 400-meter relay team.

Prior to the event, the former University of Houston sprinter entered the stadium in regal style. A chauffeur-driven Mercedes squired Lewis and fellow retiree Linford Christie around the track to a standing ovation of 60,000 fans. A group of the runner’s supporters held up a sign reading, “Thank you for all the great moments, Carl.”

Few doubted the race’s outcome. Donovan Bailey, who set a world record in the 100 meters at the 1996 Olympics, opened and handed off to Leroy Burrell. Burrell then passed off to Frankie Fredericks, who gave Lewis the baton and a slight push in the back to send him on the anchor leg. Carl crossed the finish line in a time of 38.24 seconds, far ahead of the rest of the field.

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POINT Carl Lewis sat on track’s throne for almost 20 years. He set 11 world records, 16 American records, and 4 world and American indoor records. The 6-foot-3-inch, 195-pound runner experienced career bests running 60 yards in 6.02 seconds, 100 meters in 9.86 seconds, 200 meters in 19.75 seconds, and jumping 8.87 meters or 29 feet-1-inch. God endowed Lewis with the incredible physical and mental ability to rule his sport.

God gives everybody different talents. Some can shoot a basketball. Others play beautiful music or create useful things with tools. Every gift and talent comes from God and fits together beautifully in the body of Christ.

GOAL! Make a list of abilities you think God has given you. They can be related to sports, school, or regular life.