Lewis winning fourth consecutive long jump gold named eighth Top Moment
Carl Lewis winning his fourth consecutive Olympic long jump gold medal...
10-27-2004
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Carl Lewis winning his fourth consecutive Olympic long jump gold medal was honored by USA Track & Field on Wednesday as the eighth greatest moment in U.S. track and field history in the last 25 years.
To help mark the 25th anniversary of USA Track & Field, fans joined USATF in selecting the Top 25 Moments in American Track & Field during the past quarter century. Fans voted for what they consider to be the top moments in the sports of track & field, long-distance running, and race walking by voting online at USATF's website, www.usatf.org.
It seemed strange that the great Carl Lewis could enter an Olympic Games as an underdog, but such was the case in 1996 as Lewis attempted to equal Al Oerter's feat of winning four gold medals in the same event at four consecutive Olympics.
After barely making the U.S. team with his third-place finish at the Olympic Trials earlier that summer, the 35-year-old Lewis heard the many skeptics who doubted his ability to win gold in Atlanta.
After two rounds of qualifying Lewis stood in 15th place and needed a clutch performance on his final attempt to qualify for the final. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Lewis sailed to 8.29 meters/27 feet, 2.50 inches on his final attempt to enter the final as the top qualifier.
Lewis trailed going into the third round of the final when he unleashed a jump of 8.50m/27-10.75, which held as the best of the day and gave him his cherished fourth Olympic long jump gold medal. In capturing the ninth career gold medal of his remarkable career, Lewis tied legendary Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi for the most career gold medals in Olympic track and field history.
Suggestions for USATF's Top 25 Moments were taken through February 22, 2004. Fans voted for their favorite moments beginning February 28 and ending on June 20. The Top 25 Moments will be announced in reverse order, one per week, leading up to the USATF Annual Meeting in December, where the top three moments will be revealed.
For more information on USATF's Top 25 Moments, visit www.usatf.org.
USATF Top 25 Moments
25. Jackie Joyner-Kersee breaks 7,000-point barrier in the heptathlon.
24. Khalid Khannouchi sets men's world marathon record in 2002.
23. Alan Webb sets U.S. boys' high school mile record.
22. Kevin Young breaks Edwin Moses' world record.
21. Lynn Jennings wins third World Cross Country title.
20. Alberto Salazar wins third consecutive New York City Marathon.
19. Flo-Jo sets women's 200m world record.
18. Gail Devers successfully defends Olympic 100m women's title.
17. Evelyn Ashford defeats two world record holders at 1979 World Cup.
16. Michael Carter sets national prep shot put record.
15. Valerie Brisco wins three gold medals at 1984 Olympic Games.
14. Stacy Dragila wins first ever women's Olympic pole vault.
13. Maurice Greene wins double sprint gold at 1999 World Outdoors
12. Decker wins two gold medals at 1983 World Outdoor Championships
11. Batten, Buford better world record at 1995 World Outdoor Championships
10. Flo-Jo shatters 100m world record
9. JJK breaks heptathlon world record at 1988 Olympic Games
8. Lewis wins fourth consecutive Olympic long jump gold medal