[1][3] At the 1984 Summer Olympics, Carlton was a bronze medalist in the heavyweight competition, held at Loyola Marymount University's Albert Gersten Pavilion.

[5] His previous best total, 377.5 kg, was enough for the bronze medal, behind Italy's Norberto Oberburger and Romanian lifter Ştefan Taşnadi.

[6] He remains, along with Mario Martinez, the last American male to win an Olympic weightlifting medal until 2024.

[9] Carlton was found dead from gunshot wounds at his home in Arrowsmith, Illinois in May 2001.

Notes found at the scene, as well as witness testimony, suggested that Carlton had intended to take his own life.