Steve Lewis

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameSteven Earl "Steve"•Lewis
Used nameSteve•Lewis
Born16 May 1969 in Los Angeles, California (USA)
Measurements188 cm / 84 kg
AffiliationsUCLA Bruins, Los Angeles (USA) / Santa Monica Track Club, Santa Monica (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 3
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 4

Biography

Although an unknown 19-year-old in 1988, Steve Lewis had a spectacular season, completely rewriting the world junior all-time list in the 400 m, and winning an Olympic gold medal. Lewis had been third at the US Olympic Trials, and was not considered a potential medalist before the Olympic 400 m final, with Butch Reynolds heavily favored. In the Olympic final Lewis set an early fast pace, and although Reynolds closed near the finish, Lewis held on to win in 43.87, a time that still stands (as of 2016) as a world junior record. Lewis won a second gold medal three days later, as a member of the victorious US 4x400 m relay team that equaled the world record of 2:56.16 that had stood since the 1968 Olympics. In 1990, Lewis won the NCAA Championships in the 400 m and went on to win the US title in the same event. In 1992, Lewis again competed at the Olympics in Barcelona and won silver in the 400 and gold in the 4×400, which broke the world record (2:55.74) that Lewis had previously helped tie in the 1988 Olympic Games. Lewis was later hampered by injury and an ongoing viral illness, and never again competed internationally.

Personal Best: 400 – 43.87 (1988).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1988 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Steve Lewis
400 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
4 × 400 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold
1992 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Steve Lewis
400 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
4 × 400 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold