Carl Lewis holds the record as the only man to capture the gold in the 100-meter, 200-meter, long jump, and 4×100-meter relay at the same Olympic Games. He has been a member of five Olympic teams, but it wasn't until the 1984 Games in Los Angeles that he came into his own, winning the 100-meter, 200-meter, long jump, and 4×100-meter relay. He continued to create history at the 1988 Games in Seoul, where he won the 100-meter and the long jump for a second time. In 1992 in Barcelona, Carl won the long jump and 4×100-meter relay again. Carl Lewis finally finished competing in 1996 in Atlanta where he won the long jump.
He happens to live right down the street from me, so I decided to interview the greatest Olympian of all time.
1. When you started running, did you realize that you were going to be great?
No, I was awful when I started! I was 5'5" until the end of tenth grade, but by the time I graduated I was six feet. I'm sure I would have quit if it hadn't been for my parents telling me not to give up.
2. What thoughts went through your mind before a race? What did you tell yourself?
Leading up to the race, I'd go over my race technique. But once I stepped into the block, I would try to relax and clear my mind so the only thing I could hear was the gun going off. While I was actually running, I had to be aware of what was happening, but I couldn't let that affect my race. I had to run my own race.
3. What advice would you give athletes?
Never give up. I was supposed to give up, but because my mom was the best liar on earth, telling me I would grow and that I was good at running, I continued to run. And you know how people say, "You can be whatever you want to be." You just have to be a leader, not a follower, choose to make a difference, and you will be whatever you aspire to be.
【小题1】In which of the following did carl Lewis win gold medals twice?| A．100-meter and the long jump. | B．4×100-meter relay and 100-meter. |
| C．The long jump and 200-meter. | D．100-meter and 200-meter. |
| A．He noticed nothing else but his running during the race. |
| B．He has altogether joined in four Olympic Games. |
| C．He was so determined（坚定）that he never thought of quitting his sports. |
| D．He couldn't have succeeded without his parents' encouragement. |
