His groundbreaking feats during the 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996 Olympics are a testament to his extraordinary longevity and skill. Lewis’ legacy extends beyond his impressive Olympic haul, which includes a total of nine gold medals, including back-to-back victories in the 100m at the Los Angeles and Seoul Games, as well as a silver medal and eight world championships. 

His achievements echo the greatness of Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, a milestone Lewis himself matched in 1984. Reflecting on his career, the 63-year-old emphasises the significance of his four successive Olympic golds.

“It was in November 2022 when I pulled the last knife out of my back!” he revealed during a recent interview at the world relay championships in the Bahamas. “I knew early on that I was going to get those knives in my back, but the bigger picture was more important.”

For Lewis, who recently unveiled the purple track at Paris 2024, the pinnacle of his career was undeniably his “proudest moment” the rare accomplishment of winning gold in the long jump four times in a row. “I tried four times to win four gold medals and I only did it once,” he said, highlighting the rarity of his achievement.

He recounted the emotional experience of seeing fans who had witnessed his 1984 triumph in Los Angeles return with their children to watch him compete in Atlanta in 1996. “When I went to Los Angeles in 1984, there were kids in the stands with their parents. And when I was in Atlanta in 1996, there was a guy that said ‘my father took me to see you in LA and now this is my son and I'm taking him to see you in Atlanta.’ That was pretty crazy.”

Lewis’s journey was not without challenges. His early career saw him miss the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to the American boycott. “I did remember seeing older athletes I trained around and it was their last shot. I wasn't dismissive, but I didn't understand their pain,” he reflected. “Fortunately I was able to go to the Games again.”

Beyond his athletic prowess, Lewis is known for his pioneering role in advocating for athletes' financial rewards and professional status. His push for these changes met resistance from Olympic officials and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). 

Despite the opposition, Lewis remained committed to improving the sport. “I hoped to leave the sport much better than when I came in,” he said, acknowledging the mixed impact of drug issues on athletics during his time.

One of the most significant moments in his career was the 1988 Seoul Games, where Ben Johnson’s doping scandal highlighted the need for rigorous drug testing. “I don't even look at the 100m race in 1988 as a negative,” Lewis noted. “That might be the most important moment in drug testing sports history, and I was a part of that moment, so therefore I look at that as a positive.”

When it comes to comparisons with Jesse Owens, Lewis remains focused on his own era. “All I know is that you live in your era. This was Jesse Owens. This was me. This is them. You know, I beat these people, he beat those people. You can't compare,” he said.

He remains proud of his past achievements and the standard they set. “I ran 9.86sec 33 years ago. A lot of people have run 9.86, but I would have been on every Olympic podium apart from London in 2012 since then.”

Lewis’ legacy is not only defined by his Olympic triumphs but also by his relentless pursuit of excellence and his efforts to elevate the sport. As he looks back on his career, it’s clear that his impact will be felt for generations to come.