Greatest Athletes of All Time

This is not a list of the greatest players of all time, although many of the athletes on the list may have been great players. This is a list of the greatest athletes which begs the question, what makes someone a great athlete. For the purpose of this list, athletic greatness is defined as possessing a variety of attributes that contribute to athletic prowess. These include speed, quickness, endurance, power and hand-eye coordination. That is why this list does not include specialized athletes such as marathon runners or bicyclists. While it is clear that Lance Armstrong is a master in his field, he has not proven that he could compete in other sports where more is required than pumping his thighs for hours on end. (See related TheTopTens Blog entry: Wayne Gretzky is NOT One of the Greatest Athletes of All Time)

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Choices Not In The Top Ten

Vote for Joe DiMaggio 101) Joe DiMaggio

In terms of popularity, how could Joe D *not* be in the historical top ten? This list can’t be taken seriously otherwise!

Vote for Shane Warne 102) Shane Warne

Great athlete and personality, revolutionised spin bowling

Vote for Shaquille O’Neal 103) Shaquille O’Neal

he was the court

4 time nba champion

Vote for Jared Zabransky 104) Jared Zabransky

THe statue of liberty rocks 2007 fiesta bowl mvp champion

Vote for Haile Gebrselassie 105) Haile Gebrselassie

TOP 10 WITHOUT A DOUBT. THAT HE ALWAYS WORE A BEAMING SMILE ENDEARED HIM EVEN FURTHER TO LONG DISTANCE TRACK AND FIELD FANS. NATURALLY GIFTED, BRILLIANTLY DETEREMINED, UNDENIABLY GREAT.

NAPLES

"a man from a diffrent planet"

Vote for Manny Ramirez 106) Manny Ramirez

he is the all time Yankee killer

Vote for Seb Coe 107) Seb Coe

Only man to successfully defend the 1500m at the Olympics and multiple world record holder.

Vote for Rocky Marciano 108) Rocky Marciano

Vote for Jeremy Wotherspoon 109) Jeremy Wotherspoon

God on skates.

Vote for Usain Bolt 110) Usain Bolt

oh come on! Michael Johnson was good but usain bolt won the 100 and set a world record without trying. Then he beat Michael Johnson’s time in the 200m setting another world record. Usain Bolt or bolt of lightning all the way.

Vote for Julius Peppers 111) Julius Peppers

Great at many positions on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, as well as being a handful on the basketball court and a freak of nature in size, build and agility.

Vote for Tiki Barber 112) Tiki Barber

best giant running back small and quick could run through the hole with the quickness

Vote for Mike Piazza 113) Mike Piazza

Vote for Zlatan Ibrahimovic 114) Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Vote for Paula Newby-Fraser 115) Paula Newby-Fraser

Winner of more Ironman Triathlons than anyone on the planet

Vote for Alexander Karelin 116) Alexander Karelin

The most dominating athlete ever... did things his competition could only dream of. Greco-Roman wrestler who went 10 years undefeated and for the last six of those years, he never had a point scored on him!

armust

Vote for Karen Smyers 117) Karen Smyers

Gold Hawaii Ironman 1990 Women’s Triathlon
Gold Hawaii Ironman 1995 Women’s Triathlon
Pan American Games
Gold Mar del Plata 1995 Women’s Triathlon
Gold Mar del Plata 1999 Women’s Triathlon
ITU World Championships
Gold ITU World’s 1995 Women’s Triathlon
US Pro Nationals
Gold 1990 US Pro Nationals Women’s Triathlon
Gold 1991 US Pro Nationals Women’s Triathlon
Gold 1992 US Pro Nationals Women’s Triathlon
Gold 1993 US Pro Nationals Women’s Triathlon
Gold 1994 US Pro Nationals Women’s Triathlon
Gold 1995 US Pro Nationals Women’s Triathlon

Vote for Gene Conley 118) Gene Conley

NBA Champion 1958-59
NBA Champion 1959-60
NBA Champion 1960-61
World Series Champion 1957
MLB All-Star 1954, 1955, 1959

1952 Boston Red Sox
1954-58 Milwaukee Braves
1959-60 Philadelphia Phillies
1961-63 Boston Red Sox

1952-53 Boston Celtics
1958-61 Boston Celtics
1962-64 New York Knicks

Vote for George Best 119) George Best

Most God Gifted Footballer of All time totally Genius

Vote for George St.Pierre 120) George St.Pierre

Vote for Rafael Nadal 121) Rafael Nadal