OnlineHost:  Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

OnlineHost:  Your emcee for tonight's event is AOLiveMC7(ChrisCKL)

AOLiveMC7:  Welcome to AOL LIVE to Mr. Olympics himself! Mr. Carl Lewis!

LewisCarl:  Hello, thanks for coming tonight. This is a very exciting week for me, and it's a very pivotal time to talk on the net. In one week from now I could be on the Olympic team. So lets jump into questions.

Question:  Where did Carl grow up?

LewisCarl:  I grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey. You had to be close to know where it is.  It's in South Jersey. I then moved to Houston to go to school there.

Question:  What events did you do during High School Track??

LewisCarl:  I did the 100M, 200, long jump, hurdles, relays, everything. I also ran in state meets my senior year of high school.

Question:  Carl, as a UK fan, can we expect to see you in Britain this year ?

LewisCarl:  At this point, I have not planned my European schedule.  Britain has been nice to me though, so I expect to be there sometime this year.

Question:  What events do you hope to qualify for the Olympics?

LewisCarl:  I believe I can qualify in all of the 4 events from 84, 100, 200, long jump and relay.  But I only expect to run in three events.

Question:  Are there any other records left for you to break, Carl?

LewisCarl:  The main one I would like, that is left is the long jump. Anything else is gravy.

Question:  In what Olympics did you win your first gold medal?

LewisCarl:  1984, the 100M.

Question:  Are you still as fast as you were in the 80's?

LewisCarl:  Well, the last two weeks have shown me I am. I hope to be faster than the 80's this summer.

Question:  Are you ever going to retire?   If so when?

LewisCarl:  Yes, probably at the end of next season.

Question:  Many track fans agree that track meets are too long. If you had to eliminate an event, what would it be?

LewisCarl:  Excellent question, I agree whole heatedly. I would eliminate the 200, one distance race, the steeple chase, and intermediate hurdles.

Question:  Carl- I am 9 and train in Jersey.  My coach is Jon Jenkins, formerly of Willingboro. I am trying out for W'boro's 4 x 100 team for East Coast. I am a big fan-I also do sprints and long jump.  Any suggestions on how to get better distance in the long jump?

LewisCarl:  Spend most of your training time on your approach. Once you secure your approach, it's easier to jump farther.

Question:  Who is going to be your most stiff competition?

LewisCarl:  In the 100M, Dennis Mitchell, Mike Marsh, and Leroy Burrel.  In the long jump, of course Mike Powell, and in the 200, Mike Johnson, and Mike Marsh.

Question:  Carl how many races have you won in your career?

LewisCarl:  That is the best trivia question I have heard in years. I have no idea.  Thankfully it is more wins than loses.

Question:  Carl...I'm a college student and big fan of yours...I've wondered did you ever play any other sports in jr. high or high school besides just track?

LewisCarl:  Yes, I played soccer in jr. high. While I was younger, I also played baseball, though not very well.

Question:  Do you also coach?

LewisCarl:  I have helped coach at the University of Houston. But this year I have concentrated on training.

Question:  How did you become so FAST?

LewisCarl:  Hard work, the best coaching in the world, and a contradiction, a lot of patience. That's what sprinting takes.

Question:  What is your attitude going into the '96 Olympics?  Do you think they will compare with the Barcelona games?

LewisCarl:  The Barcelona games were incredible. They did an excellent job. I feel everyone in the US and Atlanta will give just as much. I feel it will be a proud day in America and I look forward to it.

Question:  Do you have any meets before the Olympic trials?

LewisCarl:  No, my last meet was 2 weeks ago. The trials for me start this coming Friday.

Question:  Mr. Lewis, Jess Mortenson the great track and field coach at USC (who is also my great grandfather) said that a great runner is always motivated by something so great that they have no choice, but to run. Do you agree?

LewisCarl:  I agree, that's a motivation that is strong to be successful. But I feel you have to have a full a full life, because it gives you something to compare it too. I feel a whole life is the key.

Question:  Carl, how do you like celebritydom?  Any Hollywood projects in the works?

LewisCarl:  None now. To buy running. We will see about the future.  Celebritydom is something you have to get use to. But it is Ok with me.

Question:  How old were you when you started track and what got you interested?

LewisCarl:  I started at 7 years old and my interest peaked in high school, as I saw it could get me a scholarship for college.

Question:  What's it like going into the Olympics?

LewisCarl:  If you have experienced a dream, or something that you love to do, and bam, it's there that's what it is like for me. It takes a lot of hard work to get there, but worth it in the end.

Question:  Don't you still hold records in South Jersey?

LewisCarl:  I think so, yes. It's been 17 years, but I think so.

Question:  Mr. Lewis, how does the Olympics being in the U.S. help or hinder your chances and comfort in competition?

LewisCarl:  It is a difference between competing in 96, and retiring last year.  Being in front of the home crowed, and not having to travel overseas, kept me in the sport.

Question:  My friend and I would like to go from a 68 sec. 400 time to a sub 60 one.  Do you have any training tips to help us

LewisCarl:  Yes, you want do repeat 400's, and repeat 200's, with a very short interval in between, at a slower time. That will help build your strength.

Question:  Did you go to college?

LewisCarl:  Yes I went to the University of Houston. From 1979 to 1983.

Question:  How do you keep your cool- under so much pressure to win another gold?

LewisCarl:  I try to concentrate on the small things that we practice on everyday, and ignore my surroundings.  I know I can do that, and it makes me comfortable.

Question:  What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far in your career?

LewisCarl:  Atlanta 1996.

Question:  Did you always want to be an Olympic athlete?

LewisCarl:  I never felt that I had that talent, until my senior year in HS, and then it was "maybe"..

Question:  How many hours do you train a day?

LewisCarl:  We train between 2 and 3 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Question:  Do you feel that you have another world record in you?  Could it be in the 200 meters?

LewisCarl:  Yes I do feel I have another world record. The 200 would be tough because I don't plan to run it much.  But the long jump is still possible.

Question:  What do you plan to do after the Olympics?

LewisCarl:  This fall will be busy. I am releasing a new book and I have to get back involved in numerous charity events that are special to me. So that is my fall.

Question:  After trying unsuccessfully to get a copy of your book "Inside Track", are there any plans to republish ?

LewisCarl:  No plans to republish, but if you send your name and address into AOL, we can get you a copy.

Question:  Do you think the drug problem (specifically steroids) will again show its ugly head in Atlanta?

LewisCarl:  I believe that people will always try to cheat, and they will get caught. We have to try and make this a clean sport. So, someone will get caught.

Question:  You have obviously lasted longer in this sport than most anybody ever has...what is your secret for this longevity?

LewisCarl:  First of all, a good diet, resting your body during training, not competing too much, and understanding that you win some and lose some.

Question:  How many miles do you run in a week?

LewisCarl:  Our workout are specifically for sprints, but on average we will run about 3/4 of a mile in our total workout.

Question:  What do you plan to do when you retire?

LewisCarl:  Get more involved in community activities. Both from a political and charitable standpoint.  Continue to write, and speak out positively on the issues of my sport.

Question:  Carl....do you have a fan club and if so where do we write to?

LewisCarl:  Yes I do, you can write to "The Santa Monica Track Club, 1801 Ocean Park Blvd.  Santa Monica, CA. 90405.

Question:  Do you feel you have sacrificed too much of your life to achieve all you have - you didn't have a normal childhood with all the training and even now, you have to train (by the way I LOVE THAT PIRELLI COMMERCIAL!!!!)

LewisCarl:  It's different, but I was able to spend so much time with my family doing it, because my parents were involved. So I don't feel I missed very much.

Question:  What is your fastest time in the 100 meter?

LewisCarl:  9.86, that's my best for now.

Question:  Who is your strongest competitor, in the 100, in your opinion?

LewisCarl:  My opinion, when healthy, is Leroy Burrel. Without question.

Question:  Carl, since the Ben Johnson incident do u feel that  the use of Steroids in track have gone down or have the even gone up more?

LewisCarl:  I feel that they have gone down.  The athletes in the sport want a cleaner sport, so that's where we are headed. But, we are still fighting for a cleaner sport.

Question:  What type of sprinting spike do you use? how many spikes are on it?

LewisCarl:  I use a special designed Nike sprint shoe that has 10 sprint spikes.

Question:  Are there any techniques that you could tell me in cutting down my time in the 100?

LewisCarl:  Think of the race as a full 100M when you start. Many people concentrate on the first have and run out of gas. Think of sprinting it out all of the way.

Question:  What is a basic weeks training for you???...I was just curious because I run track for my school and my coaches have wanted to now how you train....

LewisCarl:  Monday we run a 400, 300, 200. Tuesday and Thursday, we take starts. Wed. and Friday are our sprinting days, usually 150M or less.

Question:  If you were executive director of USA Track and Field, how would you improve the sport?

LewisCarl:  First I would streamline the organization. Change the name to reflect professionalism, and fight to put on shorter, better track meets with the best athletes in the world.

Question:  Although you don't run the 400 meters, if you trained for it do you think you could possibly broke the world record?

LewisCarl:  No, I don't have the heart.

Question:  Do you feel the Olympics are becoming more of a business, than what it was meant to be?

LewisCarl:  No I still think it's the same business it's always been, it's just that the public can now see it.

Question:  What was your best, or favorite win?

LewisCarl:  The 100M in 1984, and the 400 relay in 1992.

Question:  It appears you have run in some very hot climates, how does that weather affect you?

LewisCarl:  The hot climates are excellent for fast times. Atlanta will have great performances from every sprinter, partially because of the weather.

Question:  Good Evening Mr. Lewis.  I am an eleven year old girl sprinter, but am not too tall or strong.  Can you give some examples of athletes in the international sports arena who do not fit stereotypes, but are exceptionally good athletes?  Good luck in Atlanta

LewisCarl:  That's a good question, no one comes to mind off the bat. But I know when I was your age, I was the slowest and smallest in my class. So you should never give up on your dreams because you never know how far you can go.

Question:  What talent would you most like to have?

LewisCarl:  That is a VERY good question. The ability to interact with people, and help bring them together for a cause.

Question:  Carl - What is your most serious injury in all your years of racing?

LewisCarl:  I had knee surgery in 1986, and then again in 1990. Those were definitely the most serious injuries.

Question:  What advice can you give a young high school track athlete?

LewisCarl:  Follow the advice of your coach, study hard and have fun.

Question:  Carl, Who has inspired you most in your life?

LewisCarl:  Collectively my parents. They have always been in my corner.

Question:  Could you have competed successfully in the 1980 Olympics that was boycotted by the US?

LewisCarl:  I made the Olympic team in the long jump and the relay and would have hoped for a bronze at best in the long jump, and maybe a gold in the relay.

Question:  hey man, your awesome. I love you Carl. your my favorite American athlete. is it possible for me to get an autograph somehow? please!!!!

LewisCarl:  Yes, if you send that request to the Santa Monica address, I will get you one.

Question:  How do you mentally prepare for a race?

LewisCarl:  I try to relax my mind of all of the possibilities of a race, and concentrate on the specifics of the event I am doing.

Question:  Carl, Do you feel like an underdog and what events will you concentrate on to fulfill your final run at the Olympics? Hector

LewisCarl:  I would have to say, I have considered that. The 100M and the long jump specifically.

Question:  What is the greatest lesson you have learned through athletics?

LewisCarl:  How different people are and how special that is. I have traveled the world and learned many things from it.  How different they are, and the specifics about yourself are what I found most interesting.

AOLiveMC7:  Time has slipped away quickly....we have time for one more question!

Question:  Was winning as a college freshman in the long jump, and taking fourth in the Olympic trials 100m the same year the most important step in your career?

LewisCarl:  I would selecting the U of Houston and Coach Tom Tellez was the most important.

AOLiveMC7:  Thank you so much Mr. Lewis for you time and excellent answers.

LewisCarl:  Thank you for joining us. I look forward to talking to you next month. Hope you follow the trials that start next Friday. Thank you, and goodnight.

AOLiveMC7:  We all wish you the best in the coming Olympics.

AOLiveMC7:  And special thanks to our audience!

OnlineHost:  Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.