The Noah Media Group film offers unprecedented access to Lewis, exploring the ambition, identity and personal cost behind one of sport’s most misunderstood superstars

Carl Lewis doc

Noah Media Group’s feature documentary I’m Carl Lewis! has its UK television premiere on Sky Documentaries this Sunday (11 October) at 9pm.

Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals in track and field across four Games, including matching Jesse Owens’ achievement of four golds in one Olympics.

However, behind the medals, world records and global fame is a story of ambition, identity and an athlete who consistently challenged expectations, divided opinion and refused to conform.

The documentary, I’m Carl Lewis!, was given unprecedented access to Lewis himself, and explores his complicated relationship with the media, the personal cost of sporting greatness and his determination to succeed on his own terms.

It includes candid interviews with Lewis, his family, friends and rivals, including Nike founder, Phil Knight, Grammy Award-winning music producer Narada Michael Walden and long-jump rival Mike Powell, alongside extensive never-seen-before archive footage. 

The film also examines how Lewis, one of athletics’ first truly global commercial superstars, was frequently misunderstood by the wider public.

I’m Carl Lewis! was directed by Emmy Award-winning Julie Anderson and Grierson Award-winning Chris Hay. The film received its world premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and won Best Biopic at the 2025 Sportel Awards in Monaco.

Julie Anderson and Chris Hay, directors, said: “Carl Lewis is not only a sporting icon, but a cultural one too – a pioneer who dared to be different. We wanted to challenge the preconceptions that followed him throughout his career and make a film as bold, colourful and unapologetic as the man himself. It was a true privilege to tell his story, and we’re thrilled that UK audiences will now have the opportunity to see the film on Sky Documentaries.

John McKenna, CEO of Noah Media Group and producer of the film, adds: “Carl is one of the greatest athletes who has ever lived, but what makes his story so compelling is the extraordinary man he is. We are hugely grateful for the trust he placed in us and, above all, for how much of himself he gave to this film. We’re absolutely delighted that the film is now playing in Noah’s home territory and will be seen by UK audiences on Sky.”

I’m Carl Lewis! is a Noah Media Group production in association with UNINTERRUPTED and Nike. It is produced by Ian Davies, Chris Hay, Torquil Jones and John McKenna, with LeBron James and Maverick Carter among its executive producers. Sphere Abacus handles international distribution.