Olympic Legend Carl Lewis, 63, Reveals He's Never Had a Long-Term Relationship: 'Thought It Would Hurt My Career'

Kochfan wrote:

Aouita 84 wrote:

It doesn't really matter at this point. As someone who was in the track world in the 80's, 90's, and 2000's, Carl was ALWAYS perceived as being gay. His manager (Joe Douglas) knew that if Carl announced he was gay it would hurt him big-time endorsement wise. The 1984 Olympics was a MASSIVE haul financial wise for him. America was just coming to grips with AIDS and homosexuality. If Carl were to come out, he would be jeopardizing a ton of endorsement cash. Also, Carl's appearance fees to race in Europe was crazy, many meet promoters were not very accepting of having a headlining "gay athlete" participating in their meets for fear of offending potential fans from attending.

Carl was and is one of the greatest track athletes EVER!!!

Speaking of AIDS, Carl's male room-mate at the 1984 Olympics, Kirk Baptiste, died from AIDS. He is most well known for bringing up the rear in the '84 Olympic 200 meters for men, grabbing the silver behind King Carl. Later that year, Kirk had the wood on Carl in England, beating his room-mate in a 300 meter race.