Jon Mulkeen of Athletics Weekly, author of the story on Carl Lewis’ comeback intentions, has sent me a longer version of his April report. This one gives important hints on Carl’s comeback plans — namely that he might shoot for the top. “While he did not specify which competitions he will be targeting, the World Masters Championships in September 2007 could become one of his main goals,” Jon writes. Thanks for the rest of the story, Jon!

The whole story:
NINE-time Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis last weekend made known his intentions to return to the track and compete in a handful of masters competitions throughout this year and next, writes Jon Mulkeen.
Speaking in Belgrade, where he was acting as official patron of the 19th Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon, Lewis stated: “I have been out for nine years, but I turn 45 this year and I have decided to compete in a couple of masters races in 2006 and 2007
The decision is well timed, as Lewis — who celebrates his birthday in July — would be among the youngest in the M45 category. While he did not specify which competitions he will be targeting, the World Masters Championships in September 2007 could become one of his main goals.
Lewis — who was given the honour of “athlete of the 20th century” from the AAF — retired in 1997 at the age of 36 and has always maintained that he was happy in his retirement and did not wish to take up competitive athletics again. So why the return?
“I’m always thinking about what can be done in terms of world coverage,” explained Lewis. “One of the main reasons I’m doing this is because I think it will help create more awareness of the sport.
“People always come up to me and say, ‘Oh, you look in good shape, surely you can still run? and I say “Yes, a little bit.” But people just assume that I get up each day, eat what I want, work out in the gym and then everything’s great. Gimme a break — it’s not quite as simple as that.
“For me just to be in shape may seem like nothing, but with the fitness initiatives that I help co-ordinate, it is my responsibility to stay fit. If I was fat and out of shape, then no one would take me seriously. So I think that if I go out and compete then I can inspire a few people. And the masters scene is amazing — Willie Gault has been running a lot and he has been tearing up the track.”
When asked how fast he thinks he could run, Lewis replied: “I have no idea — my knee hurts! What do 45-year-olds run? I have no idea what the records are, but there is no way on this Earth that I would even consider running against anyone other than in my age group, so when I say I’m going to run I want to make that very clear. And it would only be about two or three meets per year.?
The world M45 record for 100m currently belongs to American Neville Hodge, who ran 10.96 in 2001, while fellow American Kevin Morning holds the 200m record at 22.13 seconds. While both records appear to be within Lewis’ reach, his biggest opposition could indeed come from fellow American Gault who, last year at age 44, recorded times of 10.73 and 21.80 in the sprint events.
Lewis already holds the world M35 record for the long jump with his 8.50m leap from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The M45 record belongs to Finland’s Tapani Taavitsainen, who jumped 7.27m in 1990.
Me again:
Jon wrote before Willie Gault got going this season In fact, Carl would have to beat 10.79 and 21.91 (both by Willie ) to be the fastest M45 around. And Willie’s not done yet.