if it weren't for carl lewis, track and field would be just as obscure as water polo. He catapulted the sport into the limelite. Without him there may not even be any track and field today as we know it.

A true great athelete but he used roids so can't be given a higher score, Cheat!!!!!

the greatest gay athelete ever,alexander the great was second

Perhaps the most consistently impressive long-jumper in the history of the event. He had EXPLOSIVE pace which allowed him to transfer a phenominal amount of that crucial horizontal velocity into every attempt. Of course, there's no disputing this man was a bit of a jerk towards his fellow competitors/team mates. One only has to watch Lewis' face/body language after his fellow team mate, Mike Powell, SMASHED the Beamon long jump world record on the same day Lewis recorded his own PB.(Tokyo, 1991?) Why isn't British triple-jumper, Jon Edwards on this list? Surely he must rate as one of the greatest track and field athletes? He was certainly the best and most consistent triple-jumper ever! (And a HELL of a nice guy)

Well i'd have to say that carl lewis is definetly one of the best athletes in track and field history. His speed in the 100 and 200 proved to be so fast that he was able to long jump super far! Even in his old age, he was a great one. I don't know about calling him the king of sprints. Does that make jesse owens the god of track or what.

Carl was instrumental in helping all Track and Field athletes increase their earning capabilities through competition. His long term success can teach all of us about dedication, persistence and staying focused on the important goals in your life.

This putz earns three stars for his athletic ability, but he is certainly no role model. One of the things that the olympics should stand for is sportsmanship. Carl Lewis was a grandstanding jerk who would shame any mother of his by his embarrassing histrionics. I really wish that someday there'll a majority of American athletes that win but are able to remain humble and respectful of the other competitors and of the host country. Carl Lewis set the precedent for unlimited cockiness, so he is no hero to me.

His performance in Los Angeles 1984 was the best for a long time.

Carl Lewis is one of the all time greats in the Olympics in track and field. He has won many gold medals in his days. He has won various kinds of events, from long jumps to the 100M dash. He is one of the greatest athletes in track and field and also in the Olympics.

Greatest athlete of all time. Has speed, endurance and jumping ability. Even at an older age, he still proved to be great.

He is the second best, but he still can't hang with Michael Johnson- he's too good.

He shows that with dedication and hard work anything can be accomplished. He is now a world hero and is in the history books.

Carl Lewis is one of the greatest runners ever.

I gave Carl Lewis a 5 because he's an excellent track and field athlete. He has brought dignity and honor to the USA by representing us in the Olympics.

The most talented runner of all time. This five time Olympian has boosted the US in track & field and in the sport.

When you think track, Olympics, and America, you have to include Carl Lewis. A great medalist, winner and American!

Carl Lewis won the gold in everything he did. I say he is an excellent runner. I also think that he was well trained. He executed in everything.

He's one of the greatest athletes of all time. He is an all around athletic God. He does absolutely everything. I don't even know how many medals he has, but that last time in '96 was a classic. You can't argue how great he is.

Before Michael Johnson's time there was Carl Lewis. He dominated every track and field he entered. He is considered the greatest track and field athlete ever to run track.

The best we've ever had, and nobody really cares about him one way or the other. I hear he's pretty popular in Japan.

Carl Lewis is the most successful Summer Olympic athlete of all time. His accomplishments from the 1984 Olympics through the 1996 Games are incredible. It's pathetic that questions regarding his sexuality limited his marketibily.

Carl Lewis will always hold the record for most Americans.