PARIS (KNWA/KFTA) — He’s a nine-time gold medalist and considered one of the greatest track & field athletes of all time. “I made the Olympic team when I was 18 and I made my last team when I was 35,” Carl Lewis said.

Lewis is now the head track & field coach at the University of Houston. It’s something he joked he never thought he’d be doing, pouring back into the next generation of athletes.

“The biggest thing for me is that ‘Want everything’. That’s ‘Want your degree, want to win, want to be successful’ and one day, want to get everything you want to be. Just dream for everything and work for it,” Lewis said.

Lewis’ dreams have led him to Olympic glory and he’s remained around the games even after competing. Excluding Tokyo in 2021, he’s been to the last 10, soaking in the global event that brings people together.

“My favorite part about the Olympics is the world stops,” he said. “When I was younger, growing up, every four years we got a new TV for the Olympics and we sat and watched as a family. What I do notice is things stop. People are more patriotic and people become more caring and it’s a happier time.

At these Olympic Games in Paris, Lewis was invited to be a part of the Opening Ceremony.

“It was amazing, we were not told until the last minute. They said go to a room and we want you to do something. All of a sudden we’re sitting there and saying what are we doing,” Lewis said.

Lewis said the experience was incredible being a part of the torch relay on a boat with Nadia Comaneci, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams during the Opening Ceremony.

“They’re athletes that I admire. Nadia and I are the same age, so I’ve known her her whole life. Of course Serena, I’ve watched them grow and Nadal,” he said.

A part of Olympic History and hoping to mold the future, Carl Lewis leaves his athletes with this one piece of advice: “Simplify your world, focus on what you want, and go for it.”