Are relationships detrimental to athletic success? In a new documentary, I’m Carl Lewis, viewers hear a surprising revelation from one of the greatest track and field athletes in history. According to People, American former sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis, now 63, said while he was focusing on his career, he avoided getting into serious, long-term relationships. “I thought that it would hurt my career,” he says in the film, which is set for release on Wednesday.
“I’ve never really had a private adult life, and I haven’t really had an in-depth, long-term relationship to this day,” Lewis says. “I’m sure I’ve met 50 people that were incredible in my lifetime. But because of that, I had to shun them. And I know that on the outside, it can be kind of sad, and I can understand that, but that’s just the way it is.”
“Track and field dominated every aspect of my life, and everything else was secondary,” he adds.
The revelation comes after years of questions regarding his sexuality, which negatively impacted his brand deals and endorsements.
The film, which premiered on March 7 and 9 in Texas, is produced by NBA star Lebron James‘s athlete empowerment brand Uninterrupted and Noah Media Group and directed by Julie Anderson and Chris Hay.
Lewis went on to establish himself as one of the biggest legends of athletics of all time, winning nine Olympic gold medals, one silver and 10 world championship medals. At the 1984 Los Angeles Games alone, in his Olympic debut, Lewis won gold in the 100m, the 200m, the long jump and the 4 x 100m relay.
Lewis, the head of the University of Houston track and field team, is now married to his wife, Maria, with whom he shares a son, Bakim.
