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2005 United States Olympic Hall of Fame

If you were watching TV on January 1st you would have seen the first televised United States Olympic Hall of Fame ceremonies.  It was interesting to watch because each year the event has grown.  The inaugural Hall of Fame class was inducted in Chicago in 1983. Since then there have only been 11 classes. Now let's just break it down there are 34 track and field athletes in the hall over double the amount of the 2nd place sport swimming.  I was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 1985 along with some true Olympic greats. Such as Greg Louganis, Mary Lou Retton, Sugar Ray Leonard and Dan Gable.  Of course there was also a list of outstanding track and field athletes...Ralph Boston, Wyomia Tyus, Alvin Kraenzlein, and Edwin Moses.  With 5 of the 11 inductees in 1985 from track and field it is easy to see why Athletic is the # 1 Olympic sport. The 2006 class included two of track and field sprint greats Evelyn Ashford and "Bullet" Bob Hayes. 

As I mentioned this years induction ceremony was televised.  It probably helped that NBC's Chairman of Sports Dick Ebersol was among the honorees as a special contributor.  But hey when it comes to getting on TV who can argue.  The major question is whether this was a one off or will the USOC Hall of Fame induction ceremony become the new beginning of the awards season. 

     The ceremony itself really showed off some of the greats from athletics. Included in the audience were Dick Fosbury, Bob Beamon,  Bruce Jenner, Jackie Joyner- Kersee, Willie Banks, Mel Pender, and Willie Whyte.  I was really happy to see my sister Carol in the front row.  They did it up in style with Jim Lampley hosting the very classy event.  Everyone looked nice and even though the event was not sold out it was well attended by some of the greatest in US Olympic history.  Athletes such as speed skaters Bonny Blair, Dan Jansen... Swimmers John Nabor, Janet Evans and Rowdy Gaines, Gary Hall Sr.  Gymnasts Shannon Miller, Bart Conner, Peter Vidmar and the entire 1984 men's gold medal gymnastic team..Wrestler Jeff Blatnick, 1980 Olympic Ice Hockey captain Mike Eruzione.  I'm sure there were many more, but the bottom line is it was a great event.  I would really be nice to see this even become an annual event.  As usual it is not only up the USOC to see that it stay that way but it is also up to us.  For those Olympians out there make sure you take the time to vote and even mark your calendar and attend the event next year. I hope to see you there. 

Fw: 2005 USOC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

If you were watching TV on January 1st you would have seen the first televised United States Olympic Hall of Fame ceremonies.  It was interesting to watch because each year the event has grown.  The inaugural Hall of Fame class was inducted in Chicago in 1983. Since then there have only been 11 classes. Now let's just break it down there are 34 track and field athletes in the hall over double the amount of the 2nd place sport swimming.  I was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 1985 along with some true Olympic greats. Such as Greg Louganis, Mary Lou Retton, Sugar Ray Leonard and Dan Gable.  Of course there was also a list of outstanding track and field athletes...Ralph Boston, Wyomia Tyus, Alvin Kraenzlein, and Edwin Moses.  With 5 of the 11 inductees in 1985 from track and field it is easy to see why Athletic is the # 1 Olympic sport. The 2006 class included two of track and field sprint greats Evelyn Ashford and "Bullet" Bob Hayes. 

As I mentioned this years induction ceremony was televised.  It probably helped that NBC's Chairman of Sports Dick Ebersol was among the honorees as a special contributor.  But hey when it comes to getting on TV who can argue.  The major question is whether this was a one off or will the USOC Hall of Fame induction ceremony become the new beginning of the awards season. 

     The ceremony itself really showed off some of the greats from athletics. Included in the audience were Dick Fosbury, Bob Beamon,  Bruce Jenner, Jackie Joyner- Kersee, Willie Banks, Mel Pender, and Willie Whyte.  I was really happy to see my sister Carol in the front row.  They did it up in style with Jim Lampley hosting the very classy event.  Everyone looked nice and even though the event was not sold out it was well attended by some of the greatest in US Olympic history.  Athletes such as speed skaters Bonny Blair, Dan Jansen... Swimmers John Nabor, Janet Evans and Rowdy Gaines, Gary Hall Sr.  Gymnasts Shannon Miller, Bart Conner, Peter Vidmar and the entire 1984 men's gold medal gymnastic team..Wrestler Jeff Blatnick, 1980 Olympic Ice Hockey captain Mike Eruzione.  I'm sure there were many more, but the bottom line is it was a great event.  I would really be nice to see this even become an annual event.  As usual it is not only up the USOC to see that it stay that way but it is also up to us.  For those Olympians out there make sure you take the time to vote and even mark your calendar and attend the event next year. I hope to see you there. 

2005 USOC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

 

 

2005 USOC Hall of fame induction ceremony

If you were watching TV on January 1st you would have seen the first televised United States Olympic Hall of Fame ceremonies.  It was interesting to watch because each year the event has grown.  The inaugural Hall of Fame class was inducted in Chicago in 1983. Since then there have only been 11 classes. Now let's just break it down there are 34 track and field athletes in the hall over double the amount of the 2nd place sport swimming.  I was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 1985 along with some true Olympic greats. Such as Greg Louganis, Mary Lou Retton, Sugar Ray Leonard and Dan Gable.  Of course there was also a list of outstanding track and field athletes...Ralph Boston, Wyomia Tyus, Alvin Kraenzlein, and Edwin Moses.  With 5 of the 11 inductees in 1985 from track and field it is easy to see why Athletic is the # 1 Olympic sport. The 2006 class included two of track and field sprint greats Evelyn Ashford and "Bullet" Bob Hayes. 

As I mentioned this years induction ceremony was televised.  It probably helped that NBC's Chairman of Sports Dick Ebersol was among the honorees as a special contributor.  But hey when it comes to getting on TV who can argue.  The major question is whether this was a one off or will the USOC Hall of Fame induction ceremony become the new beginning of the awards season. 

     The ceremony itself really showed off some of the greats from athletics. Included in the audience were Dick Fosbury, Bob Beamon,  Bruce Jenner, Jackie Joyner- Kersee, Willie Banks, Mel Pender, and Willie Whyte.  I was really happy to see my sister Carol in the front row.  They did it up in style with Jim Lampley hosting the very classy event.  Everyone looked nice and even though the event was not sold out it was well attended by some of the greatest in US Olympic history.  Athletes such as speed skaters Bonny Blair, Dan Jansen... Swimmers John Nabor, Janet Evans and Rowdy Gaines, Gary Hall Sr.  Gymnasts Shannon Miller, Bart Conner, Peter Vidmar and the entire 1984 men's gold medal gymnastic team..Wrestler Jeff Blatnick, 1980 Olympic Ice Hockey captain Mike Eruzione.  I'm sure there were many more, but the bottom line is it was a great event.  I would really be nice to see this even become an annual event.  As usual it is not only up the USOC to see that it stay that way but it is also up to us.  For those Olympians out there make sure you take the time to vote and even mark your calendar and attend the event next year. I hope to see you there. 

Indoor TV

It has always been amazing to me that Craig Masback can stand up and say that track and field is more popular than it has ever been. In fact that’s downright laughable. Just looking at the recently released TV schedule tells the story. There are only 3 real indoor meets scheduled for TV. THREE meets. Melrose, Tyson and Nationals and they are all on ESPN2. ESPN's other station! Oh, sorry the nationals are on ESPN. The thing is when I was competing back in the mid 80's there were so many indoor meets, that there were weeks where I competed in two meets on the same weekend. In those years there were 7 meets on TV during the winter and that didn't include the National Championships, which was on multiple days. Sunkist in Los Angeles, LA Times, Vitalis in New Jersey, Reno, East Tennessee, George Mason, Dallas Times Herald, Rosemont Horizon in Chicago, and Jack in the Box in San Diego. Does anyone remember all of those meets? In the words of Archie Bunker; Those were th!
e days. Back then track and field athletes were at the front of sports. The first World Championships in 1983 was a tremendous success on NBC. And ABC televised the championships as well. Ten Championships later it was only on PAX. The networks know that Track and Field is lagging way behind. There is a lack of leadership from the top, and the athletes do not speak publicly about what’s important to them. You can say all you want but let's look at the facts. Track and Field has been on a steady decline since the mid 90's and the days before the new IAAF President Lamine Diack. Whatever you want to say there is one thing that can not be disputed. We could put butts in the seats and the meet promoters KNEW that. We have some tremendous young athletes in the likes of Justin Gatlin, Lauren Williams, Jeremy Wariner and Alison Felix… to name a few. But the sport has become an enabler for them. If you want your sport on TV you have to give the public something they want!
to watch. I think it’s wonderful that the athletes call themselves p
ros now, but shouldn’t they be making more money now then we did the 1990s? Each athlete should take it upon themselves to individually make their sport better. Give interviews outside of the world of track and field. When taking a victory lap, wave to the crowd because you appreciate them, NOT because you’re asked to. Demand more unique uniforms which will make YOU stand out. Publicly speak out against drugs and be a part of the process of cleaning up YOUR sport. Make USATF work for YOU, not the other way around. I know how difficult it is to be a leader, everyone wants to criticize you and take you down as I experienced some of that throughout my career. But it’s far better than the alternative which is, less fans, less meets, shorter careers, and worst of all, less money. When I retired almost 8 years ago I looked forward to the day when I would see someone who had the impact that an Edwin Moses, Evelyn Ashford or I had. We all began our careers running for penn!
ies but we retired making real dollars. Step up athletes take over YOUR sport and make it better than ever. Restore it to the glory of years past because your future is NOW.

Carl

The first thing I have say is that I agree with analytical testing. The criminal justice system actively seeks out evidence to convict the guilty everyday. If they waited for a smoking gun few criminals would be caught and put to justice. It just doesn’t work. That is why I am for analytical testing.

Recently the decision was handed down in the case against Former World Record holder Tim Montgomery. It was a very interesting case to follow because for the first time the question of analytical testing was really challenged. Of course the case began in early 2004 with the raid of the BALCO laboratory in the San Francisco area. Then there was the grand jury testimony that really opened the door for WADA to consider that testimony as it pertained to certain athletes and whether they are guilty of doping even without a positive test. Of course throughout Montgomery maintained his innocence but his main reasoning was that he has never failed a doping test. Did he ever say he NEVER TOOK ANY DRUGS. While, perhaps to some of you, the recent decision seems unfair. The question has become is this the only way WADA, USADA and any other organizations will be able to keep doping in our sports?

The question isn’t whether you have taken any performance enhancing drugs it’s whether you took a substance with the direct intent of beating the test. The world has changed. The athletes these days don’t just train hard, eat right and take their Flintstones vitamins. They are utilizing as much as they can. The newest supplements, the best diets and the most cutting edge technology to become the best. The thing is…….if you want to be the best the way to do it is by training hard, eating right and taking, well maybe not Flintstones vitamins, but one of the other multi-vitamins out there. The next thing I suggest is that you make an appointment with your doctor and have him/her check you out. If you eat right you really don’t need to take any supplements. Remember they are called “supplements” and by definition a supplement is. Something added that supplies a deficiency. Go to your doctor and have him check your vitamin levels, thyroid function, adrenal function and pi!
> tuitary function. The vitamins A, D, E and K, in particular, need to be watched because if you have to much or to little these particular vitamins as they can become toxic and dangerous. There is also a question of the solubility of these particular vitamins. The point is there really are no easy ways to the top and if you think you have found one then that is when you should become suspicious. I know many of you out there are probably saying yeah right Carl Lewis is saying this…….. Well, I wasn’t always good. If you look at my competition history you will see that I did not all of a sudden take the work by storm. Please go to this link to see my statistics: http//:carllewis.com/carlstats1.html. For those of you who have read my books you know what I went through to become an Olympic Champion. For those of you who would like to know check on Amazon for my two books. Inside Track and One More Victory Lap. I wrote both books along with author Jeffery Marx.

When all is said and done. What has this whole mess done? It has left a dark mark on the sport that we know and love. In the aftermath of the last 2 years Track and Field in the United States has really reached an all time low. But that is a story for another time and believe me I will get to it. I would like to wish everyone out there a fantastic holiday season. I hope you have the chance to spend some time with your loved ones.

Catch ya next week,

Carl

I noticed an article in the paper the other day that I feel I had to address.

Http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=trackandfield&id=2142899

This has been a problem for years. The and meet promoters have been trying to pull sponsors from the athletes for years. When I entered the sport, the number on the chest covered the entire chest. That blocked the sponsors on the athletes. Meaning the sponsors may as well give the money to the promoters and their names on the numbers in order to be seen. The athlete is out in the cold again. I applaud and of the shoe companies and sponsors for their support of the athletes. I cannot remember a member of the federations running a race. If the numbers on the athlete’s chests continue to get larger then there will be no reason for sponsors to support the athletes. And then we sill see a major decline performances because the athletes cannot support themselves. Stay the course, protest the rules, athletes stick together. Remember, any athlete by himself today will become every athlete .

Carl

I have a few things to say about the World Championships going on in Helsinki. First of all I would like to say I'm happy to see the Finish people supporting the championships, they are great sports fans. I would also like to congratulate a young new US team. But I also have some problems. First of all I continue to be frustrated with the lack of leadership by USATF and Craig Masback. The US has been the most dominant track and field team in the world. since installing and paying mind you a national relay coach (Brooks Johnson) the men have failed to win an international 4 x 100 relay. When will they get it. They continue to go back and bring in these coaches from the past. Brooks Johnson has had success in this sports in the past. But has he had an Olympic Champion? Also, why is it that all 6 athletes need to run the rounds. Is it the goal to win, or to get 6 people medals. It is not difficult to learn how to pass the baton, as witnessed during the collegiate !
season. I tip my hat to the great new crop of athletes Justin Gatlin, Allison Felix, Jeremy Warner eta all who have shown the world that America can still run with the best. But the lack of leadership will soon catch up with them. Craig, lead the best team in the world, make the proper changes, or they will one day give up that title.

Carl

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The Blog is now open, and I will be sending messages from time to time. I hope you have fun.

Carl