Carl Lewis may have been the most dominant long jumper and sprinter in track and field history. In a career lasting from 1979 to 1996, Lewis was one of only five athletes who have won a Gold in the same individual event in four consecutive Olympic Games. When this photo was taken in 1983, Lewis had yet to compete in an Olympics. Though he had qualified for Team USA to compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the games were boycotted by the US to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Even without the Olympic spotlight on him, Lewis still made a name for himself by winning and setting records at every major track and field competition in which he competed.

By 1983, when this Type 1 photo was snapped, Lewis was being called the “Second Coming of Jesse Owens.” This photo was produced by NBC TV to promote their coverage of the World Championships of Track and Field. This precursor to the LA Olympics the following year would see Lewis winning both the long jump and 100 meter events. Carl Lewis would win four Golds at the 1984 Games and five more before he retired. The front has some light surface abrasions, and the reverse features the original NBC caption notes. Encapsulated Type 1 Authentic by PSA/DNA.