CB Fry. International footballer, international cricketer, joint holder of the world long jump record. Also played top class rugby and golf.
Played Rugby for Blackheath, when they were the top club in the country. Played for England and played in the FA Cup final for Southampton. 26 test matches for England, scored 144 v Australia at the Oval. World Long jump record holder. He was supposed to take part in the first Olympics but forgot they were on, and was reminded when he saw the results in the paper! His best jump was three foot longer than the winner
As a rower I'd skip Grainger, Redgrave and Pinsent as the sport is not inclusive enough. The late Andy Holmes was a better oarsman than both despite only two golds.
My vote would be Mo because he excels at multiple distances and races 30+ competitors every championships, including the Africans who have dominated middle distance for decades.
I think for a lot of us Older fans on here Daley sticks in our mind because of the time period, his great battles with Jurgen Hingsen and an era when Athletics was one of the main TV sports.
I think any great sportsmen is defined by longevity, domination of the sport and also the quality of the competition. As a bare minimum I think you have to have set a World Record to be classed a truly great.
My one knock on Mo is he hasn't set any World records, perhaps he is not worried about this or hasn't truly tried, but runners are defined by World Records as much as medals.
I'd add a Sprinter like Mark Cavendish to the list... the ability to endure over 100km of cycling in a day, in a week and then produce the energy to get up to crazy like speeds whilst dealing with the elements...
Especially when they manage to do it the day after slogging up mountains and what not, just to be involved in that sprint the next day
Statistically it's Bradley Wiggins, but what about Kelly Holmes?
What statistics are those ?
Paul Radmilovic?
Bloody East Europeans coming over and taking our jobs Gold medals
Interesting that 3 of his Golds came in Water Polo, a sport where we've not been competitive for years. His last one is interesting too!
Radmilovic's fourth and final gold came at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp albeit in eventful circumstances. Great Britain and Belgium had impressed in reaching the final and the game itself was a tight one decided when Radmilovic scored to put the British 3–2 ahead. On the final whistle incensed Belgian spectators attempted to attack the British players. Armed police guarded the team as they left the pool.
I still think they should have a sprinting event where they're allowed to take performance enhancing drugs... If someone wants to run the 100m in 5.5 seconds, let them, it'd be fucking entertaining!
I think Linford Christie has a shout - Personally I always liked Ovett more than Coe! Mo Farah would be my choice if pushed.
twice failed drug tests and supplied ephedrine to another athlete. if he was russian he'd be pilloried
He was banned for life, not sure what else they could do. I agree he should be nowhere near any list of great British athletes though.
he wasn't banned for life, he got nothing for his first offence as one of the committee voting 'fell asleep' and 2 years for the 2nd. the only thing he has for life is that UKA won't give him Olympic adcreditation
but that wasn't my point anyway, my comment about being pilloried if he was Russian relates to my constant astonishment that he's looked up to by Brits as this great example, as you say he should be nowhere near a list of greats
Comments
Eddie the fuckin eagle you cunt
World Long jump record holder. He was supposed to take part in the first Olympics but forgot they were on, and was reminded when he saw the results in the paper! His best jump was three foot longer than the winner
My vote would be Mo because he excels at multiple distances and races 30+ competitors every championships, including the Africans who have dominated middle distance for decades.
I think any great sportsmen is defined by longevity, domination of the sport and also the quality of the competition. As a bare minimum I think you have to have set a World Record to be classed a truly great.
My one knock on Mo is he hasn't set any World records, perhaps he is not worried about this or hasn't truly tried, but runners are defined by World Records as much as medals.
Apart from his son, Neil, of course.
Especially when they manage to do it the day after slogging up mountains and what not, just to be involved in that sprint the next day
For achievement - Steve Redgrave
concurrent world, olympic, european and commonwealth decathlon champion- no one else comes close
Additional kudos for under schnozz adornment too.
Bloody East Europeans coming over and taking our
jobsGold medalsInteresting that 3 of his Golds came in Water Polo, a sport where we've not been competitive for years. His last one is interesting too!
Coe -
Thompson
Redgrave
Wiggins - more variety in his events than Hoy
but that wasn't my point anyway, my comment about being pilloried if he was Russian relates to my constant astonishment that he's looked up to by Brits as this great example, as you say he should be nowhere near a list of greats