Kids meet Olympic legend Carl Lewis

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Story Published: Jul 1, 2008 at 9:27 PM PST

By Elissa Harrington

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HAYWARD FIELD - Not everyone is lucky enough to meet their hero or get some coaching from an Olympic legend. Tuesday, kids got the best of both worlds by meeting and training with nine-time gold medalist Carl Lewis.

Carl Lewis boasts nine Olympic gold medals and has set numerous World records. Tuesday, he spent time with some of his youngest fans by signing autographs and offering his years of experience on the track. "I am actually out here finding the next Olympian," he says. "The next business person, or the next student. Because that's who's out here. Kids are here to have fun."

As part of a clinic put on by Hershey's, Lewis, and other former Olympians Bruce Jenner and Rafer Johnson taught kids the basics in track and field: the high jump, the sprints, the hurdles, shot put, and more. "He told me not to do bad stuff. Not to do drugs," says one young fan. "He told me to use one foot for jumping off of," says another.

For lots of these little ones, all that activity plus meeting such an athlete was a big deal. Some couldn't even sit still!

Lewis tells us the point of Tuesday's clinic was for young athletes to try all kinds of sports. And after years as a top sprinter, says he hopes to pass on one of the most important things of all. "Doesn't matter if you win or lose," he says. "Just try and get some ice cream at the end of the day."

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