Getting Olympics 2036 will be absolutely transformative for India: Carl Lewis

India Today

In an exclusive chat with India Today, Carl Lewis said that becoming the home of the 2036 Olympics will be transformative for India. Lewis also said that India is just a little infrastructure away from becoming one of the greatest sporting countries in the world.

Transcript

00:00The legendary Carl Lewis is with me, the man who needs no introduction at all.

00:05You see him in a new get-up today. First, let's talk about that.

00:08From the lanes of track and field to walking the ramp, tell us about how this experience was for you.

00:13Well, I'm a lot happier here than out there anymore.

00:15So, it was incredible, especially for the cause and the marathon and just the whole idea of breaking barriers.

00:22This is something totally new and fresh for me.

00:24So, I think it's an incredible night. It's going to be a great week.

00:27I do notice the choice of color. You still have not left the gold.

00:31Well, always.

00:34But speaking of what's ahead of us, how important is it, something like the marathon taking place?

00:40What's the message for those participating in it?

00:42What is it that you'd like to tell them in order to motivate them to take such steps going forward as well?

00:48Well, what stands out to me are a few things.

00:50Number one, obviously, breaking barriers.

00:52It's so incredible that so many women are now involved in the marathon,

00:55considering when it happened 20 years ago.

00:58And just like the entire world, bringing better sustainability,

01:03making sure our environment is cleaner and it's better.

01:04And also, the fact that they are supporting young people, children, feeding people.

01:09It has so many great causes and so many great things that I think everyone will benefit.

01:13The one thing, you know, India looking at hosting the Olympics in 2036, it's a fair bit from now.

01:20But how important is it, do you think, for a nation like India to get the Olympics home?

01:25How does it change the landscape of sport in any country?

01:29And how important does that become for India then to get that bid?

01:32Well, actually, it's not that far away.

01:34I know in 2015, Los Angeles decided they were going to do the Olympic Games.

01:38I think it would be absolutely transformative because the Olympic Games not only brings the world to you,

01:44it inspires an entire country.

01:45I think it would be great for sports here.

01:47India is just a little bit of infrastructure away from having one of the greatest countries in the world for sports.

01:52They have athletes everywhere.

01:54The talent is here.

01:55They just need that push, not only from the world coming in, but from the infrastructure here, from the people here,

02:02setting up youth programs so they can get better, universities, getting them involved in sports.

02:07That's what we need.

02:08And the Olympic Games is an event like that would be incredible here.

02:10And I would look so much forward to being here.

02:12And we hope that we get that in 2036.

02:15We hope to have you here as well at that time.

02:17But the one thing from your experience of being a top-tier athlete that India need to be mindful of,

02:21if it's about getting 2036 right.

02:24Well, the biggest thing is just saying, is welcoming the world.

02:28Because that's what the Olympic Games is about, welcoming the world.

02:30And showing that your commitment to sports for the future.

02:33Because the Olympic Games is supposed to leave something.

02:35It's supposed to leave better infrastructure.

02:37It's supposed to leave better sports.

02:38It's supposed to leave unity.

02:40So all these things to show them that when everyone comes to India and leaves India,

02:45we'll have better sports programs.

02:46We'll have better infrastructure.

02:48Better sustainability.

02:50Having a message that you want to send to the world.

02:51That's really what you need to do.

02:53India, unfortunately, don't have a lot of Olympic gold medalists to celebrate.

02:56But there's one who's making waves around.

02:58And that's Neeraj Chopra.

02:59He's a two-time javelin medalist now at the Olympics.

03:02A suggestion for him, since you're a top-tier athlete, a multiple-time Olympic winner.

03:07What is it that it takes for you to be right up there?

03:10Being a gold medalist is one thing.

03:12But they say retaining that gold, retaining that elite level athleticism and that stature

03:18of an elite athlete.

03:19What does Neeraj Chopra and the others trying to follow him need to ensure that they maintain

03:23that consistency?

03:24Well, first of all, they haven't had more Olympic gold medalists yet.

03:28That's the attitude.

03:29Number two for him.

03:30What happens when you become number one in the world?

03:32You're no longer competing against the world.

03:33You're competing against yourself.

03:34So my suggestion is make sure that every single time you go out, you're competing against

03:38yourself.

03:39I was number one in the world over 10 years in the 100 meters, for instance.

03:43The first time it was 10-0-0.

03:45The last time it was 9-8-6.

03:47So it just tells you, I wasn't competing against them.

03:49I was competing against making myself better.

03:51And if you focus on your own self-improvement, you'll be able to stay at the top.

03:56Last question to you.

03:57A piece of motivation or something that you'd like to say to those athletes who's not quite

04:01there, who are looking for some motivation in life.

04:03What's that one quote that you'd like to leave them with?

04:06Well, find the inspiration that keeps you going.

04:09Do not accept the fact that just because you haven't been gold medalist, you can't be.

04:13Thank you so much, Carl.

04:14This was a pleasure.

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