Carl Lewis named World Relays ambassador

NASSAU, Bahamas, (CMC):

WORLD ATHLETICS announced on Friday that American track and field icon Carl Lewis will be an ambassador for the World Relays Bahamas 2024.

The 62-year-old will now be trackside as the sport’s current stars look to secure Olympic places on May 4 and 5 in the Bahamian capital of Nassau.

Lewis, a nine-time Olympic and eight-time world gold medallist, claimed five global 4x100 metre titles during his illustrious career, and he said the World Relays promises to deliver plenty of excitement.

“The thrill of relay competition is like nothing else, and I’m looking forward to watching the world’s best in their bid to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris,” he said on the World Athletics website.

“I was in The Bahamas for the 2017 edition of the World Relays, and it’s great to be going back, this time as a World Athletics ambassador for the event where I aim to promote the competition and showcase the sport.”

World Athletics chief executive officer Jon Ridgeon said he was honoured that Lewis agreed to the role and hoped his presence inspires the present crop of athletes at the meet.

“Carl is one of the greatest relay runners of all time, and it’s brilliant to have him on board with World Athletics,” Ridgeon said.

“He has inspired so many in the number-one Olympic sport, and his presence at the World Relays is hugely significant as athletes look to emulate him as they race for places in Paris later this year.”

With less than 50 days to go until the relay festival, several of the world’s top sprinters from more than 50 countries are preparing for the two-day, Olympic qualifying meet – including Bahamian stars Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner.

Teams will race in the women’s and men’s 4x100 and the women’s, men’s, and mixed 4x400.