Lewis grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and went on to become one of the most recognized track Olympians in U.S. history. He won nine Olympic Gold Medals in four Olympics, four consecutive Golds in the Long Jump (1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996), two consecutive Golds in the 100-meter dash (1984 and 1988), and two Golds in the 4x100-meter relay (1984 and 1992). Lewis' four Gold Medals in the 1984 Olympics made him only the second athlete in Olympic history, behind Jesse Owens, to accomplish that feat. Lewis made five consecutive U.S. Olympic Teams (including 1980, the boycott year). He is a former world record holder in l00 meters (1991) and was ranked first in the U.S. in the 100 from 1981-89. He was also ranked first in the world in the 200 meters from 1981-86 and first in the world in the long jump from 1981-85, 1987-89, 1992 and 1996
