Lewis against Bush tactics

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Athens - Carl Lewis, winner of nine Olympic gold medals, expressed his dismay at a controversial television spot for the re-election of US President George Bush that invokes the Athens Games.

"I felt that was totally disingenuous ... to support the players or the community is fine, but for political gain I disagree," said the legendary sprinter and long jumper in an interview with the weekly Athens News published on Saturday.

One Republican ad used words and images to invoke the Athens Games, saying: "This Olympics ... there will be two more free nations" in a clear reference to Afghanistan and Iraq.

"It is funny or ironic that we boycotted the 1980 Games in support of Afghanistan, and now we're bombing Afghanistan.

"Of course, we've invaded Iraq and are in there and using it for political gain," Lewis said.

Lewis stated his opposition to the presence of US troops in Iraq. "Yes, I am against it.

"I wonder how we can come up with 200 billion dollars to send to Iraq, and kids don't have books in the inner city," he said.