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Sunday, July 20, 1997
Carl Lewis says he'll end competitive career
before home crowd
HOUSTON (AP) - Carl Lewis plans to say goodbye to track in
an exhibition relay on his home track at Robertson Stadium this
fall.
"I want to make it a symbolic race. It won't be a track
meet per se, but I'll be able to run a race when people can physically
see the last one ... on my home track," said Lewis, winner
of nine gold medals at four Olympics.
It's been no secret that Lewis would retire at the end of this
track season. He turned 36 on July 1.
But Friday night, Lewis set a date for his final race.
On Sept. 13, Lewis will run a relay with longtime runningmates
Leroy Burrell, Mike Marsh and Floyd Heard either in pregame or
halftime festivities of the Pitt-Houston football game at Robertson
Stadium in Houston.
"We've run many races together and gone through many wars
together, and I'd like to run a relay and integrate some people
in the community and some world-class athletes, so that I can
finish my career with what brought me the most joy - relay races
with my teammates," Lewis said Friday night.
"It's been a lot of fun. I've had an incredible career,
and hey, it's time to stop. To be able to end your career with
an Olympic gold medal ... is a dream. I feel like I've been blessed,"
Lewis said.
"Right now, my emotions have not changed, but as the year
goes on, my decision has been reinforced that I want to make this
the last season," he added.
His comments were in an interview with Houston television station
KPRC during an all-comers meet at Rice University in which he
won his 100-meter heat in 10.59 seconds. Michael Johnson also
participated in Friday night's meet, winning his heat of the 400
meters in 45.03 seconds.
A call to Lewis' home was not immediately returned to The Associated
Press on Saturday. Send
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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