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Brtish sprint legend Linford Christie has explained why he did not like Carl Lewis back during their sprinting days.
British sprinting icon Linford Christie has opened up about his disdain for American track and field legend Carl Lewis during their competitive days, citing Lewis’s larger-than-life persona and perceived ego as key factors.
Lewis’s track record is nothing short of extraordinary. With nine Olympic golds, one silver, and 10 World Championship medals—including eight gold—his dominance in the sprints and long jump spanned nearly two decades.
Among his many achievements, Lewis remains one of only two athletes to win gold in the same individual athletics event at four consecutive Olympics, sharing this distinction with American discus thrower Al Oerter.
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16:30 - 01.12.2024
'You didn't get anything in my time' - American sprint legend Maurice Greene agrees with Linford Christie on why modern sprinters have it 'easy'
Unlike modern athletes who get so many incentives even when they do not win any medals, sprinters during Maurice Greene's era only received medals and nothing else for their efforts.
Off the track, Lewis was equally remarkable, cultivating a celebrity aura that included fur jackets, helicopter rides, and limousines. His flamboyant personality and superstar status elevated track and field to new heights, but not everyone in the sport appreciated his approach.
Linford Christie, Britain’s most decorated sprinter, is no stranger to greatness. As the only British man to secure 100-meter gold at the Olympics, World Championships, European Championships, and Commonwealth Games, Christie’s accomplishments solidify his place among the sport’s elite.
He also holds the distinction of being the first European to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters and held the British record in the event for nearly three decades.
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13:00 - 25.11.2024
British sprint icon Linford Christie on why modern sprinters like Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson & Co have It 'easier' than past generations
American sprint legend Maurice Greene remains steadfast on his stance over modern sprinters, believing they have it so much 'easier' chances to dominate sprinting nowadays compared to his era.
In a brutally honest statement on Asafa Powell’s YouTube channel,, Christie admitted, “Carl annoyed me. Carl Lewis annoyed the f*** out of me. I think he is one of the greatest of all time, but he doesn’t feel anyone should be better than him. You have had your time. Move on. Let the next generation progress.”
Despite their mutual achievements, Christie found Lewis’s attitude grating. “To me, I think if he was allowed to run the sport, it would be worse than it is. It would be stagnant because it would be all about him,” Christie explained.
Maurice Greene, another American sprinting great, stepped in to provide a more balanced view of Lewis’s personality. “He’s not the same now, though… he wouldn’t talk to me either, but he has changed tremendously,” Greene shared, suggesting that Lewis’s attitude has mellowed over time.
While Christie may have found Lewis exasperating, there’s no denying the impact both men had on athletics. Their careers epitomized the sport’s golden era, characterized by fierce rivalries, world-class performances, and a level of celebrity that transcended the track.
For Christie, Lewis’s larger-than-life persona may have been too much to handle during their competitive days, but their shared contributions to the sport’s history are undeniable. As time has passed, perhaps even Christie might begrudgingly acknowledge that Lewis’s star power helped propel track and field into the global spotlight.
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