Taking Command: “I Can Do That”
Nine-time Olympic gold medalist CARL LEWIS leans on his longtime motto, “I can do that,” to share his experience of the transformative power of dedication, resilience, and continuous learning. Defining Olympic discipline, Mr. Lewis shares how his motto helped him achieve the discipline needed to be successful at a high level.
Self-Evolution: Transitioning from Athlete to Olympian to Coach
Legendary track and field athlete CARL LEWIS shares his incredible journey, a testament to the enduring spirit of self-evolution inherent to pursuing excellence. In every speech, Mr. Lewis turns to his experience as a nine-time Olympic gold medalist to provide thoughtful insight into the value of continuous learning, self-evolution, and giving back from the top.
Carl Lewis continues to inspire the track and field community
Building on his Olympic fame, CARL LEWIS is an activist and advocate or family, youth, education, wellness, and fitness, bringing his international celebrity to attract awareness for the challenges and opportunities surrounding these issues around the world. Going the distance for those in need, Mr. Lewis was nominated Goodwill Ambassador for FAO and YUNGA. In this capacity, Mr. Lewis has supported the Run for Food race and the 1billionhungry project, the International Year of Forests, the World Humanitarian Day, the Race Against Hunger, and the Horn of Africa fundraising campaign. Mr. Lewis is an inspiring speaker on what is possible, imbuing each audience member with a spark of inspiration to change the world for the better.
In winning 9 Olympic gold medals at four Olympic games, Carl Lewis earned himself international respect and a place in history as one of the truly great athletes of all time.
Carl was part of five American Olympic Teams, winning 10 medals, nine of them gold. With unsurpassed talent in the long jump and his speed in the sprints, he has gone places where no other track and field athlete has ever visited. His five Olympic appearances are a record for a male athlete, and many of his Olympic performances were in world or Olympic record time. His impressive track and field performances earned him the title of “Athlete of the Century”
His 65 consecutive victories in the long jump achieved over a span of 10 years is one of the sport's longest undefeated streaks. Over the course of his athletics career, Carl set world records in the 100 m, 4 × 100 m and 4 × 200 m relays, while his world record in the indoor long jump has stood since 1984.
His accomplishments have led to numerous accolades, including being voted "World Athlete of the Century" by the International Association of Athletics Federations and "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee, "Olympian of the Century" by Sports Illustrated and "Athlete of the Year" by Track & Field News in 1982, 1983, and 1984.
Building on his Olympic fame, Carl is an activist and advocate or family, youth, education, wellness and fitness, bringing his international celebrity to attract awareness for the challenges and opportunities surrounding these issues around the world.
Since his retirement from active competition in 1997, Carl Lewis has devoted a great deal of his time and energy to charity, founding “The Carl Lewis Foundation,” which serves as an umbrella for the many charities that Lewis supports including the “Best Buddies” organization, The Wendy Marx Foundation (for organ donor awareness), Ronald McDonald House Charities and many youth fitness groups. Carl is also a United Nations Ambassador for the Food and Agricultural Organization and a coach at the University of Houston.
As a man who has achieved the highest athletic awards in the world and operated a successful business environment, Mr. Lewis is prepared to speak on success, business development, and leadership.