Carl lewis is one of the most popular athletes in the world. He has won nine Olympic gold medals across no fewer than four Olympics and four different events to go with eight world championship golds. He was unbeaten in long jump for 10 years - 1981 to 91. He broke 100m world record in 1991. In 1999, he was voted Athlete of the Century by several organisations including International Olympic Committee and a UNESCO panel.
So, when lewis says that India is very close to winning an Olympic gold in athletics, there must be some substance in that.
"It's coming," lewis said on the sidelines of Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA).
"The first thing India did is that they have role models. let's compare 20 years ago, how many medals did India get in 1992IJ And look how many they got in 2012. When people start winning, other people start looking up to them and they start having success.
"We have to let young people know who the great people are. Before this (TOISA) there wasn't any real athlete celebration event in the country. In United States, there is one every day. They are always celebrating, creating role models for the young people to aspire to be," he added.
Get your house in order first
lewis has always been an advocate of clean, dope-free world of sport and his outspokenness against the menace put him in uncomfortable position when he suggested that there was something suspicious in Usain Bolt's shaving off around .40 seconds in one year to set a world record in 2008.
Bolt also reacted to the statement by saying that "I have lost all respect for Carl lewis". Bolt also criticized the world athletics body's decision to give Tyson Gay a backdated one-year suspension for failing three drug tests in 2013.
On Thursday, when lewis was asked about Bolt's reaction, he said that Bolt has raised a "legitimate issue" but "rules are rules".
"But see a Jamaican is talking about it. lots of doping issues have come out in Jamaican athletics in the last 4-5 years. He should first think of cleaning up his own house," lewis said.
"Doping is not good for sports. I have said that and I have taken a stand on that in 1987 and in 2008.
"How many people have taken stand on dopingIJ I you don't take stands on the issue, please shut up," lewis asked Bolt to take a stand on doping issues arising out of Jamaica.
History defines greatness
lewis also took a jibe at Bolt for calling himself great.
"History defines greatness. It's not about me or anyone else; it's history. If you look at so many great athletes in this country or leaders in this country like Gandhi, he didn't seek legendary status or greatness. His words, his actions, his deeds created that…we all have been affected by what he did. And, we make Gandhi great. That's the way I look at it. It's not for me or anyone to judge. It's the people who are affected and history to define that," lewis said.