Pritish Raj wrote:
The iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium witnessed a legendary guest this Friday when 64-year-old Carl Lewis, one of the greatest track and field athletes, strode into the complex as the upcoming Delhi Half Marathon’s brand ambassador.
At his candid best when interacting with the media, he had a subtle yet clear response when his views were sought on Olympians like Fred Kerley joining the Enhanced Games, an event wherein athletes can use performance enhancing drugs. In short, they can dope.
“When people ask me about ‘Enhanced Games’, I always tell them that it is a cultural issue rather than a sports issue. The culture which is prevailing now allows fake things to be important,” said Lewis in a reporters roundtable. “When you allow someone on a TV show to become president one day because you think he is good, it depicts a deep-rooted cultural issue.”
He also had a good quote on showmanship:
“In my time you know, I was all over the place. I wanted to entertain people on the track but it was not my priority. It never affected my game,” said Lewis, who won nine Olympic and eight World Championships gold medals. “These days, the kids think that showmanship is first thing and the performance on the track comes second.”
