more than a decade ago , carl also stood on the pinnacle of what was to become the greatest athletics career in history . he had just broken two of the infamous david owens ' college championships , but ever believed he must become a corporate icons , the face of hundreds of millions of money in advertising . his sport was still nominally amateur . eighteen ncaa and global championship gold medals and 21 world records later , harris has become the strongest figure in the life of track and field - - a multi - millionaire .
Carl Lewis won eighteen gold medals and set 21 world records.