Frederick Carl Lewis began running on the local track club his parents coached, near his home in Willingboro, N.J., and at age 10 he met his idol, Jesse Owens, who advised him to simply have fun.

	Carl Lewis won four gold medals at the 1984 Olympics.

After a carer that spanned four Olympiads, he is considered by many to be the greatest track and field athlete in history.

Carl Lewis went a decade without losing in the long jump, winning 65 straight competitions. He won four gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, winning the 100 meters by an Olympic-record eight feet. He was clocked at 28 mph.

Lewis eventually would amass an astounding nine Olympic gold medals, including two in Seoul in 1988 (long jump and 100), two in Barcelona in '92 (long jump and 400 relay), and one in Atlanta in '96 (long jump).

That '96 gold medal just might stand as Lewis' finest moment. At the age of 35, Lewis qualified only third in the long jump. But he reached back into yesterday, snatched a memory, and relived it by jumping 27-10¾. It was his longest jump at sea level in four years, making him the gold medalist in the event for the fourth consecutive Olympic games.

Throughout his career, Lewis heeded the words of his mentor. He had fun.

Lewis was born July 1, 1961, in Birmingham, Ala., and raised in Willingboro. Lewis currently lives in Los Angeles, where he is studying acting.