more than a decade ago , charles lewis stood on the threshold of what was to emerge the strongest athletics career in america . he had just beaten two of the legendary jesse owens ' college recordings , but never believed he would become a corporate superstar , the focus of hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising . his sporting was still nominally amateur . eighteen olympic and world championship success awards and 21 universe records together , lewis has become the richest man in the history of track and field - - a multi - millionaire .
Carl Lewis won eighteen gold medals and set 21 world records.