Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis has been heralded as one of history’s greatest-ever Olympians, with a haul of nine gold medals and one silver during four Games.

A host of acclaim includes being voted Sportsman of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, and being named Olympian of the Century by the American magazine Sports Illustrated.

His dominance of the sprint and long-jump events throughout the 1980s and early 90s was recorded through the setting of numerous world records, including one that still stands in long jump. To this can be added eight gold medals and two bronzes in the World Championships.

Since his retirement, Lewis, of the United States of America, has devoted much of his time to helping others. This includes founding The Carl Lewis Foundation, which serves as an umbrella for the many charities that he supports.

He was appointed an Goodwill Ambassador in October 2009, and his contributions to date include helping promote the Hunger Run.

“I am proud…to draw everyone’s attention to the very real and dramatic problems, as well as the concrete challenges and activities, that FAO works on every day,” he said.
 
Lewis is also a UN Champion for the Millennium Development Goals, a set of targets for assisting the world’s poorest people.