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He was still a world class sprinter (10.03 in June of that year) and yet
because he had only just qualified for the Games, the greatest long
jumper in history was considered an 'outsider' to win the event. Third
place in the US Olympic Trial naturally encouraged the doubters and his
absence from the world stage during the years since his victory in 1992
made him almost a forgotten man (almost!).
Until one considered here
was a champion who if he could retain his title would be feted as the
greatest athletics Olympian of all time. A record fourth victory in the
same event would rank him equal to fellow American Al Oerter (discus
victor in 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968) and Finland's Paavo Nurmi as the
holder of nine gold medals. Thus the stage was set, coincidentally in
the United States, where it had all began twelve years earlier in 1984
at Los Angeles. Where, of course, he had equalled Jesse Owen's
achievement of four gold medals at the same Games.
Carl led the
qualifiers with 8.29m. and thereupon reminded everyone he was not a
bit-part player. The final was not a great contest except for the
result. Carl's third jump was 8.50m. and swept him into a clear lead.
The rest had to beat that, but no-one came close. Runner up James
Beckford of Jamaica managed 8.29m. and Joe Greene's 8.24m. got him the
bronze medal. Carl was still king and crowned his reign with the
amusing remark that it was now "fourteen hairstyles later" since his
first medal, though as the above photo actually shows (pictured moments after collected his record ninth Olympic gold medal),
his "style" for 1996 was almost no hair.
He not only collected the gold
medal at Atlanta, but removed a bag full of the golden sand from the
long jump pit as a souvenir. He retired from athletics the following
year. (George Herringshaw)
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