The American Carl Lewis, athletics legend with nine Olympic titles including four 40 years ago in Los Angeles, expects a “fabulous” Olympic Games in Paris (July 26 – August 11), he said. he told AFP on Saturday.
Coach for the University of Houston, Carl Lewis, 62, sharp in a white polo shirt, responded between two races of his athletes at the Mt. SAC Relays meeting in Walnut (California), east of Los Angeles.
How much are you looking forward to the Paris Olympics? “I think the Paris Games are going to be fabulous. It’s a wonderful country, and a magnificent city. I know that they will imbue the event with (French) culture and ideas, in addition to being the 100th anniversary (of the 1924 Olympics). It’s going to be a fabulous Games.”
What do you think about the current state of sprinting? “Athletes are writing their own history, I like that. I work at the University of Houston, with athletes. I don’t want to generalize, but I’m happy to see young people training hard, running well. I’m also happy to see that sprinting has gone global, with people from all over the world. It makes discipline better. I expect very good competitions (in Paris). These days there is rarely an obvious favorite. Even if Noah Lyles showed that he was the best, and that he can be considered the favorite (in the 100m). But I note that there have been five different champions in five editions (from the 100m to the World Championships, editor’s note), that’s not nothing.”
Do you think Noah Lyles, triple world champion last summer (100, 200 and 4×100 m) can become a star like you or Usain Bolt? “These are different times. He’s a great kid, who does a great job. I hope it will continue, and that it will still benefit this sport in the future. I wish him the best.”
How much can small early-season meets like the Mt. SAC Relays help Olympic athletes? “I think I’ve done this meet 18 times. It’s a great world-class competition, the weather is always good, it has greatly benefited me. And that will help these athletes for Paris. It’s a little early in the season but that doesn’t hurt, it’s part of the training.”