Times staff writers take a look back at the Centennial Games

My mistake. What possessed me to think that Carl Lewis wouldn’t do it, couldn’t do it? Out of gold-medal contention in the long jump, aged and injured, Lewis had ‘em right where he wanted ‘em.

As the old guy pounded down the runway, commanding the attention of 80,000 in Centennial Olympic Stadium, I cringed for him. How awful if he did poorly in the event he had won in the last three Olympic Games. He with his big mouth and shameless boasting.

One jump, one soaring leap, and I understood. Carl Lewis might have been talking the talk all these years, but he has also walked the walk.