The ‘LeBron James of weightlifting’ knows the sport’s Olympic future is murky

CJ Cummings finished a disappointing ninth in the men's 73kg final, and he may not have a chance to better that mark in Paris in 2024

CJ Cummings surely has better days ahead, though whether they will involve the Olympics is an open question and a matter beyond his sinew-straining grip.

The youngest competitor in Wednesday's men's 73kg weightlifting final, the 23-time American record holder and two-time youth world champion turned 21 last month and could be poised to peak in Paris, assuming his sport is not dropped like so much dead weight.