Carl Lewis long jump comments

[bear.raccoon]

As we all know, King Carl has stuck his foot in his mouth way too many times,
but I have to agree with him on the state of the long jump on the world scene.
I'm sure he had nothing personal against Greg Rutherford, but a low 27 foot long
jump winning is just not good enough. The development is just not there. There are so many young great jumpers who end up not developing. I'm guessing it's lack of motivation more than anything. Young people, throw your cell phones away it's slowly turning you into do nothing zombies. Amen.

[1runner1]

State of LJ nothing but embarrassing...including the reigning OG's champion

[Jacksf]

If you're not happy with the state of the long jump, why blame the OG and WC, Greg Rutherford?!
Without him the event is really in sad shape.
Instead your unhappiness should be directed to all those who finish behind him.

[shango]

As we all know, King Carl has stuck his foot in his mouth way too many times,
but I have to agree with him on the state of the long jump on the world scene.
I'm sure he had nothing personal against Greg Rutherford, but a low 27 foot long
jump winning is just not good enough. The development is just not there. There are so many young great jumpers who end up not developing. I'm guessing it's lack of motivation more than anything. Young people, throw your cell phones away it's slowly turning you into do nothing zombies. Amen.

No excuses. That was classless. He is an ambassador of the sport. You cannot hold someone in such great reverence that you allow them to say anything they want about anyone. Classless.

[expat]

1. It's Carl, fuhgeddabatit.
2. Rutherford seems to respond to challenges ...

[booond]

He is an ambassador of

Carl Lewis.

[bear.raccoon]

It used to be people watching a track meet would get up and go to the bathroom
when the 10,000 started. Now, I leave when the long jump starts.

[beebee]

Not liking Lewis doesn't make his comments wrong.

[highjumpfan]

Not liking Lewis doesn't make his comments wrong.

You go to the Olympics for marks, not for medals. Really?

Maybe when you have 4 golds but no world record, but when you have neither, ask any athlete which they prefer.

[jc203]

I loved Carl Lewis as a competitor and I continue to be awestruck by his longevity as a dominant performer.
Sadly, I have always found him to be a distinctly unlikeable personality... these latest remarks are less about the current state of the LJ and more about calling attention to himself and how great he was 25 years ago. Ugh...

[bobguild76]

I loved Carl Lewis as a competitor and I continue to be awestruck by his longevity as a dominant performer.
Sadly, I have always found him to be a distinctly unlikeable personality... these latest remarks are less about the current state of the LJ and more about calling attention to himself and how great he was 25 years ago. Ugh...

Well said!

[bambam1729]

Well, he was pretty good.

[Atticus]

I loved Carl Lewis as a competitor and I continue to be awestruck by his longevity as a dominant performer.
Sadly, I have always found him to be a distinctly unlikeable personality... these latest remarks are less about the current state of the LJ and more about calling attention to himself and how great he was 25 years ago. Ugh...

Ima hafta agree. I hold him the the HIGHest regard as a competitor, but as an ambassador for our sport, not so much.

[lonewolf]

I do not know Carl Lewis personally but have worked many of his LJ competitions and, while I admire his athletic achievement, he has always been uniquely disdainful of fellow athletes and officials. I can understand an athlete "being in the zone" during competition but he seems to be in the zone 24/7.
He disparages the performances of current LJ leaders, compared to his routine 28 foot jumps, without acknowledging that only a handful of men have ever jumped 28 feet and only four over 29. He was an outlier and outliers do not come along every year.

[beebee]

My point is that considering Lewis' incredible achievements, contributions to track and field, expertise, I will respectful listen to him...

Hate him or not.