‘Everyone’s the GOAT now’: Days after Simone Biles debuts new necklace, track legend Carl Lewis responds with tirade about ‘GOAT’ overload

Ten-time Olympic medalist Carl Lewis recently weighed in on the discussion about the greatness of gymnast Simone Biles.

The former track and field star is one in every of the most decorated Olympians in American history. He won 4 gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, two gold and one silver at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, two gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and one other gold in Atlanta in 1996. A winner of the 100 meters, 200 meters, the 4 × 100 meters relay, and the winner of 4 consecutive gold medals in the long jump, his feats have earned him titles resembling “World Athlete of the Century,” “Olympian of the Century,” or “Sportsman of the Century.” However, he just isn’t commonly known as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

With 11 Olympic medals, Simone Biles leaves the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as the most decorated gymnast in the United States. Her path to redemption in Paris ended Aug. 5 when she won silver in the free exercise. Biles withdrew from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, citing mental health issues. But this summer, she added gold to her storied legacy in the team event, all-around and vault.

Biles was widely considered the best female gymnast long before her trip to Paris. She further cemented her place in the sport’s history by debuting a “GOAT” necklace on Aug. 1.

But Lewis, who’s an impressive player in his own right, got bored with how loosely the title “Greatest of All Time” was used.

“It’s really funny. We never used the word GOAT until about 20 years ago,” Lewis said Basically a sport when asked during a recent interview in Paris to share his opinion on whether he considers himself or anyone else the GOAT of the Olympics. “Everyone is the GOAT now. My mom is the GOAT with that tie, you know. So I don’t look at it that way.”

Lewis added that the modern sporting climate encourages comparisons.

He explained, “We’re in a culture where everyone compares themselves. What’s great is I’m sitting here at the Olympics and I see Sha’Carri Richardson. I see Noah Lyles. Simone Biles is here. Katie Ledecky is here. That’s where I am. I’m in this place with so many amazing people and so diverse. Now that women have so many (achievements), we can see them, so I don’t get bogged down in all that.”

Rather than comparing athletes to one another, Lewis said he would relatively enjoy watching athletes achieve greatness of their sports.

“I don’t compare eras either, because you’re competing with the people you’re competing with. I’m more impressed by the great athletes and their stories.”

Biles has been hailed as the best athlete in women’s gymnastics, and her recent achievements in France only confirm that she is the best athlete to ever compete in the sport.

“GOAT is here” – fan he said.

“The queen of rhythmic gymnastics,” said one other fan he reacted until Biles won gold in Paris.

“the best thing to do in life!” someone he wrote on social media.

Lewis, whom Sports Illustrated called the “Olympian of the Century,” was often compared in his heyday to Jesse Owens, who, like Owens in 1984, won gold medals in the 100, 200, 4×100 relay and long jump at the 1936 Olympics. Today, Lewis has been in comparison with Usain Bolt. The retired Jamaican track and field star, who held the unofficial title of “fastest man alive,” is the only sprinter to win the 100 and 200 meters in three consecutive Olympics, from 2008 to 2016. Bolt is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, one fewer than Lewis’ nine. Bolt’s world records in the 100 and 200 meters still stand today.