On this day: Carl Lewis emulates Jesse Owens with four gold medals

Sport360 staff 13:02 11/08/2015
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  • Hero: Carl Lewis.

    Until Carl Lewis’ triumph at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Jesse Owens was the only American track and field athlete to capture four gold medals in a single Games.

    The 23-year-old Lewis matched Owens’ record-setting achievement on this day in 1984, capping his impressive performance with his fourth and final gold in the men’s 400 metre relay, which the United States won in 37.83 seconds for a world record.

    Lewis previously captured the top spot on the podium in the 100m dash, the long jump and the 200m dash, meaning his four gold medals came in the same events in which Owens earned his in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

    Other memorable events to happen on this day…

    1919: The storied franchise of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers is founded by George Calhoun and Curly Lambeau.

    1929: Baseball legend Babe Ruth hits his 500th home run at Cleveland’s League Park, becoming the first player to reach the milestone.

    2005: Shane Warne claims his 600th Test wicket with the removal of Marcus Trescothick in the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford.

    2012: Mo Farah wins gold in the men’s 5,000m in the London Olympics, adding to his 10,000m title.

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