1991 World Championships in Athletics – Men's long jump in this competition; the still best and still third best wind-legal jumps in history; and the best two long jumps not aided by altitude. Carl Lewis' record at the time was: two time Olympic Gold Medalist, two time World Champion (in the era when it was also still a once-every-4-year event) and, having been undefeated in ten years, he was deservedly considered the best long jumper in the world. Lewis had set the World Record in the 100 metres sprint 5 days earlier. Lewis was in the lead through four rounds: his first round jump of 8.68 set a new
Carl Lewis I think the American public wants you to look macho," said Don Coleman, a Nike representative. "They started looking for ways to get rid of me," Lewis said. "Everyone there was so scared and so cynical they did not know what to do." (Lewis and Nike eventually did split, and Lewis signed an endorsement deal with Mizuno.) Lewis himself would lay the blame on some inaccurate reporting, especially the "Carl bashing," as he put it, typified by a "Sports Illustrated" article before the Olympics. At year's end, Lewis was again awarded the top rankings in the 100 m and the