Do you mean most well known athlete or do you mean best?
I would think Beckham is the most well known simply for footballs world wide appeal and his wife. Though I would not rate him as the best.
I also think that best is very difficult because different disciplines need different attributes - but my list would include
Nick Faldo - he was No1 in gold for quite a while
Steve Redgrave - longevity of sporting excellence 2nd to none.
Johnny Wilkinson - had to throw a rugby player in
And if you are just looking at athletics
Daley Thompson
Cram/Coe/Ovett
All of whom have been said before - I will give it more thought but I think we need to be clear on the definition!
Originally posted by Mat Kelley Do you mean most well known athlete or do you mean best?
I would think Beckham is the most well known simply for footballs world wide appeal and his wife. Though I would not rate him as the best.
I also think that best is very difficult because different disciplines need different attributes - but my list would include
Nick Faldo - he was No1 in go ...[text shortened]... een said before - I will give it more thought but I think we need to be clear on the definition!
Most famous.
Right now I have the list as:
1. Roger Bannister
2. David Beckham
3. Daly Thompson
4. Graham Hill
5. Bobby Moore (He was in a Sylvester Stallone movie.)
5. Stanley Matthews
5. Nick Faldo
Three way tie for fifth.
So, I think we can say that Roger Bannister is the english Babe Ruth and David Beckham is the english Michael Jordan.
1. Roger Bannister
2. David Beckham
3. Daly Thompson
4. Graham Hill
5. Bobby Moore (He was in a Sylvester Stallone movie.)
5. Stanley Matthews
5. Nick Faldo
Three way tie for fifth.
So, I think we can say that Roger Bannister is the english Babe Ruth and David Beckham is the english Michael Jordan.
Most famous is obviously Beckham, by a country mile.
Go to China and ask them about Roger Bannister. Heck, go to Spain or Italy. The vast majority of the people won't know who he is. Beckham is not fit to tie Bannister's boots but he lives in the age of multimedia and marketing and is in the most worldwide sport of all.
Originally posted by Palynka Go to China and ask them about Roger Bannister. Heck, go to Spain or Italy. The vast majority of the people won't know who he is.
One upper class hero, one working class hero. Both adored by the fans of those sports at the time, only one remembered as the media of the day focused on that sport, not the other.