He was a member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team and participated in the 1988 Olympics.

[1][2] Lakes competed for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's gymnastics in college.

He attempted a comeback in 1992 but placed 18th and claimed the final spot in the US Olympic trials that year.

During his Olympic career, he was quoted as crediting L. Ron Hubbard's system of Dianetics for his immense success and health, stating "I am by far the healthiest person on the team," he said.

So if I can help other black kids, other minority kids, whatever, get to a level in something like gymnastics where they can have a quality of life, I think that would be great.That same year, he told JET magazine, "I think Debi Thomas (Olympic skater) was wrong when she said she was not a role model for blacks.