‘They just want to forget long jump, sprint is easy’

{ CARL LEWIS } TRACK AND FIELD LEGEND

- Avishek Roy

Athletics is going backwards.. from a financial standpoint and global relevance, it really is, unfortunately. It has been for the last 15 years. It's (long jump) too hard and technical. The long jump is so technical and so tough that if you're not a great long jumper, drugs won't even help you.

A conversation with Carl Lewis just flows — effortlessly as he speaks with an infectious energy.

Even after more than two decades since his retirement from international athletics, the legend’s aura remains intact. A nine-time Olympic gold medallist, Lewis conquered the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and, of course, the long jump.

Sharp, direct, and animated even in the early hours on Friday, he showed no trace of fatigue despite arriving from the United States late on Thursday evening. He is on a trip to India as brand ambassador for Vedanta Delhi half marathon.

From reminiscing about his glory days of record-breaking jumps and sprints to opening up on his fierce rivalry with Mike Powell, Lewis also spoke about the state of track and field today. In his own words, “From a financial standpoint and in terms of global relevance, the sport has unfortunately gone backwards.”

Excerpts

It was easy, coming from Houston, just one stop. I have been to India before, about 10 times.