U.S. athlete won 9 gold medals in track and field events.
He was trained under the tutelage of his father at their family owned athletics club.
He is considered by some to be the sportsman of the century.
He was ready to make his Olympic debut in 1980, but had to sit it out because of America's boycott of the games in Moscow.
He has been quoted as being skeptical of the abilities of Usain Bolt.
