Carl Lewis

Another American top the charts and this time it is the former track and field superstar Carl Lewis. With a career that spanned over 15 years, Lewis undoubtedly was a fierce hunter for medals. Considered to be the “greatest Olympian in the world” by various media establishments for his incredible achievements, Lewis was definitely the face of America in the ’80s. Carl Lewis is also only one of the three Olympians to have ever won a gold medal in the same individual event in four consecutive Olympic games.

Carl Lewis won 10 medals including 9 gold across 4 summer games breaking countless records along the way. An explosive athlete from a very young age, Lewis made it to the 1980 American Olympic team for the long jump and the 4 x 100 m relay events. But, the Olympic boycott precluded Lewis from competing in Moscow. This greatest Olympian finished his Olympic career with 10 medals of which 9 were gold medals, a feat no track and field athlete has bettered, he was the only athlete ever to successfully defend his Olympic long jump title. In 1999, Lewis was voted by the IOC as the 'Sportsman of the century'.