25 of the world's best sports stars of the 20th century. Famous Russian athletes who glorified our country! No money to win

Sport may not be as significant in human life and activities as science, technology, education, business and politics, but it certainly plays its own role in society, not only in our time, but since the time of the Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.

John Brzenk, armwrestling

The legendary American arm wrestler from Illinois is undoubtedly one of the longest title holders in the history of any sport, having gone undefeated for an incredible twenty-three years. In 1983, he won his first world title when he was only eighteen years old, and he remains to this day the youngest world champion in the history of the sport. Guinness World Records named him "The Greatest Armwrestler of All Time". He also made a cameo appearance in the film With All My Strength, starring Sylvester Stallone. This movie is still the most popular movie of all time related to this sport. He is believed to have won over 250 titles and won numerous tournaments during his incredible career.

Tony Hawk (Tony Hawk), skateboarding

The Birdman, as his fans know him, is a professional skateboarder and the sport's first true superstar. Tony Hawk created several new moves on a skateboard during his career and was the person who first pulled off the epic "900" stunt, which is considered one of the hardest aerial spins done on a skateboarding ramp because the skateboarder has to complete 2 ½ rotations ( 900 degrees) without falling. In addition, Hawke became the highest paid athlete of all the extreme sports athletes, and made millions from what were named after him video games, shoes and skateboards. Tony has also won nine gold medals at the World Extreme Games (X Games) and the Olympics of Extreme Sports (Olympics of Extreme Sports). In 2014, Fox Weekly named Hawke one of the most influential skateboarders of all time.

Ole Einar Bjørndalen, biathlon

Ole is the equivalent of Michael Phelps, but for the Winter Olympics. The Norwegian professional biathlete and icesports superstar is the most decorated Olympian in Winter Olympic history with a whopping thirteen medals from five different Olympic Games. He started his medal collection at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. With the two gold medals he recently won at the Sochi 2014 Olympics, he now has eight gold medals in his career. His collection also includes four silver medals and one bronze. Add thirty-nine (nineteen of them gold) medals from world championships to the equation.

Yiannis Kouros, Ultramarathon Run

Janis Kouros is the definition of an athlete that makes you really think about the true possibilities and limits of the human body and soul. He races against nature, time, distance and, as he said, when his body can no longer carry him, he does it with his mind. However, he remains almost unknown outside of running circuits, despite holding the most world records of any athlete in any sport, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He set all these records during his career. He is also the man who has run more miles than anyone else in the history of mankind. Kouros has set over 150 world records while competing in races such as the Athens to Sparta marathon, Sydney to Melbourne, 1000 mile races and six day events. He has also won over seventy ultramarathon titles in an incredible career spanning over thirty years.

Nikolai Andrianov, gymnastics

Nikolai Andrianov is undoubtedly the most successful gymnast who ever lived and perhaps the second most popular overall, just behind the great Nadia Comăneci. Since the 1980 Olympics, he has held the men's record for most Olympic medals in any sport. In total, he is the owner of fifteen medals (seven of them gold). It wasn't until nearly thirty years later that Michael Phelps broke his record at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. He is currently the third athlete overall in terms of Olympic medals won after Phelps (who has twenty-two) and Larisa Latynina, a Soviet gymnast who won eighteen medals during her career.

Gareth Edwards, rugby

A Welsh legend named Gareth Edwards is the rugby world's equivalent of Jim Brown as he was the first rugby player to refine the style of the sport and lay the groundwork for a modernized version of it. Even though he played back in the seventies, thanks to his incredible athleticism and rare excellent playing skills, there is no doubt that he would still be at the top even if he were playing today. He was the definition of the term "perfect player" and could do absolutely anything. He was extremely fast, had incredible passing skills, his shots were top notch and most importantly, he had a very high IQ on the pitch and could read the game better than anyone else. In a 2003 poll of the best international rugby player by Rugby World magazine, Edwards was voted the greatest player of all time. After that, in the list of "50 Greatest Rugby Players" compiled by The Telegraph in 2007, Edwards was also named the greatest player in history.

Fedor Emelianenko, mixed martial arts

Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko is probably the most beloved Russian athlete in American sports history. Never before have so many American fans cheered for a Russian athlete and in most cases against their American athletes. Fedor was probably the first global superstar in a relatively new sport, and his fame spread from Russia to Japan and from the US to Brazil.

He was RINGS Freeweight Champion from 2001 to 2003, PRIDE Heavyweight Champion from 2003 to 2007, and WAMMA Heavyweight Champion from 2008 to 2010, going undefeated for over 10 years for incredible career during which he defeated many champions and famous fighters. Emelianenko is also the longest-serving top-rated fighter, recognized as the best regardless of weight class in MMA history, and was recently voted the greatest MMA fighter of all time. He received a whopping 73 percent of the vote in the largest online mixed martial arts poll ever held in Brazil, the country of runner-up Anderson Silva. This fact perfectly shows the world recognition and respect of fans, which Fedor enjoys.

Michael Phelps, swimming

Michael Phelps is without a doubt the most decorated and most successful Olympian in the history of the modern Games. And how could he not be, considering the incredible twenty-two medals he won by the age of twenty-seven and in only three different Olympic Games, eighteen of which are gold. In the meantime, he won twenty-seven more gold medals at the world championships and broke thirty-nine world records, more than any other swimmer in the history of the sport. In total, he has seventy-seven medals received in major international competitions, sixty-one of them gold. Michael Phelps is arguably the most successful individual athlete of the last fifty years.

Michael Schumacher, motorsport

With all due respect to the great NASCAR, WRC and Moto GP champions of the past decades, Formula 1 is one of the three most popular and highest paid individual sports in the world, along with tennis and golf. For this reason, the king of Formula 1, Michael Schumacher, receives a nod as the greatest driver of all time. During his distinguished career, he broke many records in the world's most popular motor racing. He holds records for winning the most world championships with seven victories, the most racing victories with ninety-one victories. He also broke the record for fastest seventy-seven laps. He also holds the record for taking the most pole positions with sixty-eight pole positions. He was twice named Laureus World Athlete of the Year and is the second richest athlete of all time, behind only Michael Jordan. His alleged estate is valued at $850 million.

Wayne Gretzky, ice hockey

Wayne Gretzky is not only the greatest hockey player of all time, but also the face of one of the four biggest sports in the United States. Over the course of three decades, he played twenty seasons in the National Hockey League, won four Stanley Cups, and set an astounding number of different NHL records (61 in total), more than any other athlete on any team. sport in history. He has been named the greatest hockey player in history in every poll and official ranking there has ever been. He is also the North American athlete with the most Most Valuable Player awards, with a total of nine Hart Memorial Trophies (an NHL season regular award)

Usain Bolt, track and field (sprint)

With all due respect to mythical running legends like Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis and Emil Zatopek among others, Usain Bolt is the absolute "God of Running" and the fastest man in human history. The running phenomenon is the first and current holder of two world records for 100 and 200 meters. He became the first person to achieve a "twice double victory" by winning the 100m and 200m events at two consecutive Olympic Games. In addition, he recently became the first person to break the ten-second barrier in an indoor 100m. He won his last victory, setting a new world record, covering the distance in just 9.98 seconds.

Roger Federer, tennis

In a sport like tennis, to be the best you have to break the best record. While Federer played and won most of his titles during a relatively weak era in tennis, before the rise of legends like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic; and despite the existence of such names as Pete Sampras, Björn Borg and Rod Laver, when it comes to the greatest tennis player in history, the bottom line is that Roger Federer holds the record for the most overall weeks in first position (302 weeks) and the most Grand Slam singles wins in history with seventeen wins. Therefore, until someone breaks his records, he will be considered the greatest player in this popular individual sport.

Muhammad Ali, boxing

Some will tell you that Sugar Ray Robinson is the greatest boxer of any weight class that ever lived. And even Mohammed Ali himself would agree with such a statement, since he was a big fan of Sugar. Muhammad Ali doesn't have more defense titles than Joe Louis, he didn't retire undefeated like Rocky Marciano didn't hold a title as long as reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko, and he certainly didn't earn as much. as much money as Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather have made in the modern age of sports, but when it comes to legacy no one can ever touch Muhammad Ali.

Ali is the most famous boxer of all time and one of the most famous athletes who ever lived, regardless of the sport. His colorful personality and fight against racism and injustice have given him hero status and inspired many of his fellow African Americans to rise up and fight for their rights in an era of change. There is no doubt that there have been many great boxers in history, from ancient times to the present day, and because of the many weight classes it is really difficult to compare their skills and career peaks. However, there is only one boxer who has managed to become more than a sport in itself, and we all agree that that person is Muhammad Ali.

Alexander Karelin, wrestling

Alexander "Experiment" Karelin was without a doubt the most intimidating and dominant champion of all martial arts throughout the twentieth century. Karelin's life story looks like a Greek myth. He was born on the frozen wasteland of Siberia in 1967 and until the age of thirteen, when he started wrestling, he hunted foxes and sables in the snowy forests of Siberia. His enormous size and brute strength, as well as his unusual, evolutionary method, have made him the most dominant fighter the world has ever seen.

During his career, he won three Olympic gold medals, won nine world championships out of nine participations and became the owner of twelve European titles in twelve participations. He remained undefeated for over thirteen years, a mythical achievement, and for six years he did not lose a single point, an even more mythical feat given the nature of the sport. The record in Experiment's wrestling is 887 wins and only two losses, for which he avenged. Shortly after his retirement in 2000, the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles named him the greatest wrestler of all time.

Michael Jordan, basketball

Michael "Air" Jordan is arguably the most famous athlete of the last twenty years and one of the most famous pop icons of the nineties. During his amazing career, he won six National Basketball Association (NBA) titles with the Chicago Bulls, six NBA Player of the Year awards in every Finals. He was selected to play in the NBA regular season five times, he also played fourteen times in the All-Star Games of the National Basketball Association (NBA AllStar Games). Jordan won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA, but most importantly, he is the man who popularized the NBA around the world in the late 1980s and 1990s. Jordan became the first basketball player to surpass the players of his era in global popularity and fame, something that no one before him had ever been able to achieve.

Although it sounds like an exaggeration, Michael Jordan is the only basketball player in history who has come to mean more than the sport itself, and this fact can be confirmed by any basketball fan. In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN. His name has been placed at the head of other sports titans such as Muhammad Ali, Jim Thorpe and Babe Ruth.

Edson Arantis do Nascimento (Pele), football

You know, when I searched for: the most, the most football player, I was given the ratings of some Internet voting, where Diego Maradona was called the most significant and best football player ... I completely disagree with this and here's why:
Few people know that as a teenager, the future football star worked part-time in a shoe shop and dreamed of becoming an airplane pilot. He was born in the family of failed football player Edson Dondinho, and his mother often scolded the boy for breaking windows during the game. After becoming rich and famous many years later, Pele immediately bought his mother a chic mansion.

Everyone dreamed of meeting Pele - from a simple fan to the presidents of the powers. So, the photo of Robert Kennedy in an embrace with a soapy football player became very famous. Also famous was a photograph with the caption "The King and one of his fans", in which Pele is depicted with the Pope.
The nickname Pele was attached to the football player in childhood. It means "miracle" in Hebrew.
Pele holds the record for most goals scored. In total, there are 1281 of them. He could score up to 3-4 goals per game. And the match with the Botafogo team on November 21, 1964, in which he scored 8 goals at once, became a record for him. Pele's 1,000th goal was the occasion for a national holiday. In honor of Pelé's 1,000 goals, the Brazilian Ministry of Communications issued a million special postage stamps. And the commemorative ball was sold at auction for $22,400.
The record holder for the number of world championships won as a player is three titles. The only footballer who has become world champion three times as a player. Member of four world championships. 1970 World Cup Best Player. 1958 World Cup Best Young Player. 1973 South American Footballer of the Year. Twice member of the symbolic teams of the world championships. Two-time winner of the Intercontinental Cup and the Libertadores Cup, winner of the Super Cup of Intercontinental Champions, ten-time champion of the state of Sao Paulo, four-time winner of the Rio Sao Paulo tournament as part of Santos.
The best football player of the 20th century according to the FIFA Football Commission.

Every sports fan will be interested to know which athletes are the most promising at the moment. Here is a selection of the 20 greatest athletes in the world.

The 19-year-old athlete with a height of 145 cm has already earned 10 gold medals over the past 3 years. She is considered by many to be the greatest gymnast in history.

The debate about who is the best football player - Ronaldo or Messi - has been going on for several years. However, it is impossible to deny that Ronaldo is in phenomenal physical condition: he is quite tall (185 cm), strong on both legs and maneuvers quickly.

It is impossible to deny that Usain Bolt is the fastest man on Earth (after all, there is no Barry Allen in our universe). At the same time, from a physiological point of view, it is a phenomenon. 195 cm is too tall for athletics, but Usain laughs in the face of logic and reason.

Chris Froome has won the Tour de France three times over the past four years. The reason for Frum's success is in his extraordinary respiratory system. This cyclist's maximum oxygen consumption is 88.2. For comparison: the average level of oxygen consumption by an adult is from 40 to 50.

Any Olympic champion and double world champion in an all-around discipline such as the heptathlon should definitely be included in this list. In addition, Ennis-Hill earned gold at the World Championships in 2015 after giving birth to her son Reggie. The Rio Olympics will likely mark the end of the 30-year-old's career, so enjoy it while you can.

According to Forbes, Serena Williams is the highest paid female athlete in the world. She earned the title of the first racket of the world, is a four-time Olympic champion and the only owner of the Golden Slam in the world, both among men and women.

If Usain Bolt shouldn't be able to run at that speed for his height, then James LeBron is an even bigger phenomenon. Despite his height of 203 cm and weight of 113 kg, he went down in history as one of the best players in the NBA.

If Cristiano Ronaldo is born to score goals, Michael Phelps is born to win gold. Undisputedly the greatest swimmer in the world, he can also be called the best athlete of all time.

Sometimes it seems that this tennis player has no bones at all. During the game, he assumes such intricate poses that he easily snatches victory from his helpless opponents.

Vaughn is the only female athlete in the world to have won the World Cup overall four times.

James Anderson is the best bowler. The 34-year-old athlete has hit the net more than anyone. Even more impressively, Anderson's injuries seem to be bypassing him.

The New York Giants wide receiver earned fame with a string of incredible tackles. He also moves incredibly fast across the field, and his jumps are simply unrealistic.

Rarely do men manage to dominate long-distance races. And even more rarely do such athletes represent a sub-Saharan country in competition.

The American swimmer, who is a five-time Olympic champion and nine-time world champion, has already managed to earn gold and silver in Rio. Every year, Kathy breaks three freestyle world records.

He may not be an elite golfer, but the figure is undeniably titanic. He literally eats up targets on the most difficult sites.

Another phenomenon, Sonny Bill Williams, has an innate ability to find space and pass the ball in any situation. Among other things, he is also engaged in boxing in the heavyweight category, where he had 7 victorious fights, in three of which he knocked out an opponent.

Few athletes dominate their sport like Nicole David. The 32-year-old Malaysian was the world's number one squash player, setting and holding the record for 109 months. She also won three gold medals at the World Games, 2 at the Commonwealth Games and became an 8-time World Open champion.

Dibaba is undeniably the queen of the treadmill when it comes to medium and long distances. She earned gold in the 1500m at the World Championships in Beijing last year, 3 gold medals at the World Indoor Championships and 2 at the World Cross Country Championships.

Olympian all-around champion Ashton Eaton seems to be the best track and field athlete to specialize in the sport. After silver at the Daegu World Championships in 2011, Eton won gold at three World Indoor Championships, two World Championships and of course the London 2012 Olympics.

At only 152 cm tall, Shelly-Anne is the exact opposite of Usain Bolt, both physically and technically. However, she does not lag behind him in terms of the number of victories. Fraser-Pryce is an Olympic gold medalist in Beijing and London, and a world champion leading the competition in 2009, 2013 and 2015.

Her record for the most Olympic medals won by one person stood for 48 years. Only this year, a swimming machine named "Michael Phelps" was able to score more Olympic awards than our gymnast (he has 24 of them, Latynina has 18). However, the achievement of Phelps cannot change one title of Larisa Semyonovna: she is the strongest Olympian of the 20th century, he is the 21st. Gymnasts and swimmers are happy people, because their sports allow you to bring a dozen medals from one championship or the Olympics, which a wrestler or boxer cannot even dream of. Therefore, in order to give other athletes a place in our symbolic Hall of Fame, we have placed only one representative of gymnastics here. Although, of course, we remember Nikolai Andrianov, and Boris Shakhlin, and Alexei Nemov, and many others.

2.

One of the two greatest swimmers of our country - Alexander Popov and Vladimir Salnikov each have 4 Olympic medals.

But Popov takes other titles: he is a 6-time world champion and a 21-time (!) European champion.

Even Phelps, with all his greatness, announced his retirement at 27, while Alexander won his last gold at 33.

3.

According to Isinbayeva, today her main dream is family and children.

But, perhaps, the records set by Elena will last until the time when her own children will play weddings themselves.

Lena's 27th world record - 5.06 m - is about 25-30 cm higher than the best performance of her competitors.

4.

Foreign experts compiling lists of the most famous athletes of all time are reluctant to include ours there, but there are names that simply cannot be ignored. Karelin is just such a case. For 13 years, Alexander the Great remained undefeated in Greco-Roman wrestling, and for 6 years in a row he did not lose a single point to his rivals.

5.

It has been 15 years since Bubka stopped performing, but his records (6.14m outdoors and 6.15m indoors) are still unbeaten. Moreover, when the Japanese calculated on a computer at what height Sergey flew above the bar at the championship in Tokyo, it turned out that that jump was enough to overcome 6.37 m - no matter how sports medicine and technology develop, in the near future this milestone will not not a single person on Earth can overcome.

6.

For five years of absolute dominance in the bar, this heavyweight with his own hands lifted the world record in triathlon by 70 kg. Vlasov finished his first Olympics with four records and walked across Rome from the stadium to the Olympic Village on foot, followed by a crowd chanting the name of the champion. In total, Vlasov set 31 records.

7.

The first half of the 60s in speed skating passed under the sign of Skoblikova, she climbed to the highest step of the Olympic podium 6 times. In 1964, she won all 4 distances of the Games. Plus, Lidia Pavlovna is a 2-time absolute world champion in the classic all-around and a multiple world champion in individual distances.

8.

Shares with Skoblikova the world record for the number of gold medals at the Winter Games. In addition to the 6 highest in Egorova's track record, there are also 3 silver Olympic awards. However, it is difficult to choose the greatest skier of the USSR / Russia, since both Larisa Lazutina (11-time world champion, 5 Olympic medals of the highest dignity) and Raisa Smetanina, who won 10 medals at 5 Olympics (she made her debut at the Games- 1976, last time climbed the podium in Albertville-1992).

9.

If one can argue about who was the best field hockey player of all times and peoples, then there is no doubt about who the best goalkeeper is. Three-time Olympic champion, ten-time world champion, the best goalkeeper of the world championships in 1974, 1979, 1981, 1983. In 1990, 6 years after the end of his career, he is called to the NHL, offering any money, but he refuses - he does not want to be weaker than his former self: “I have earned my name all my life.” In 2000, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation proclaimed Tretiak the best player of the 20th century, and this despite the fact that Vyacheslav Fetisov has more titles (except for Soviet and international awards in the collection of the famous defender - 2 won Stanley Cups).

10.

This fragile girl is the embodiment of the absolute superiority of Russia in synchronized swimming: 5-time Olympic champion, 13-time world champion, 7-time European champion. After the Games in London, Davydova ended a career that lasted 12 years. She is the best synchronized swimmer of the decade 2000-2009.

In Russia, great attention has always been paid to sports. It is necessary to remember the people who glorified our country. The most famous athletes of Russia have won many medals and have shown themselves to be real fighters capable of defending the honor of the country!

Great gymnast

Larisa Latynina is still considered the strongest Olympian of the 20th century, as she won a record number of medals at the Olympic Games.

Latynina (nee Diry) was born in Ukraine, in the city of Kherson, in 1934, on December 27. As a child, Larisa was engaged in dancing, then became interested in a gymnast. At the age of 16, she fulfilled the standards and received the title of master of sports. The girl studied well, at the end of school she was awarded a gold medal.

And she received her first sports gold medal at the World Championships in 1954. In 1956 and 1960, Latynina became the absolute Olympic champion. The athlete received medals in various disciplines at the Innsbruck Olympics, held in 1964.

Famous athletes of Russia, including Larisa Latynina, successfully participated in European and world championships. The great gymnast is a multiple winner of competitions of this kind, has the title of Honored Master of Sports. In 1957, at the World Championships, she climbed to the first step of the podium according to the results of all gymnastic disciplines. She has 4 bronze, 5 silver and nine gold medals.

Athletics

Famous athletes of Russia - athletes - pole vaulter - Elena Isinbayeva and gymnast

Elena was born in 1982, June 3, in Volgograd. Parents at the age of 5 sent the girl to the gymnastics section. In 1999, she won the junior world championship. Over time, Isinbayeva's victories became more and more significant. To date, she is a four-time indoor and three-time outdoor world champion.

Isinbayeva won the title of European champion, both indoors and outdoors. She holds 28 world records.

Alexei Nemov was born in 1978, on a spring day on May 28th. He has come a long way - being a child with weak physical data, he was able to become an outstanding athlete. In 1998 and 1999, Alexei won the world title with impeccable floor exercises. He showed his fighting qualities in the most important competitions, becoming a two-time Olympic champion.

Skates and skis

Speaking about which athletes glorified Russia, it is necessary to tell about Lydia Skoblikova.

The future athlete was born in 1939, on March 8, in Zlatoust. She is a six-time Olympic champion. She won two medals in 1965 and four medals at the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics. She is a multiple national and world champion. The record of Lydia Skoblikova, by the number of winners, has not been surpassed by anyone to this day. Only the Russian athlete Lyubov Egorova managed to repeat it.

Skier Lyubov Egorova became the Olympic champion in cross-country skiing 6 times, a multiple world champion, the best athlete of Russia in 1994.

In the same sport, our country was glorified by Raisa Smetanina, who won 10 Olympic medals, and Larisa Lazutina, who won Olympic gold five times and became world champion 11 times.

Famous athletes of Russia, list

Weightlifter Yuri Vlasov was able to set 31 world records! At the Olympics in Rome, he was so loved that while the athlete was walking, the crowd accompanied him and chanted the name of the champion, who managed to set 4 world records at these competitions!

Of course, the famous athletes of Russia are recognized as the best goalkeeper at four world championships and the best player of the twentieth century! He, along with the team, won 10 world championships and 3 olympiads.

These are famous tennis players. The achievements of our athletes in tennis are grandiose. If we talk about men, then the most famous Russian athletes in this sport are Evgeny Kafelnikov, Andrey Chesnokov, Andrey Kuznetsov, Marat Safin.

Among women, one can single out Elena Dementieva, and, of course, Maria Sharapova, who still shines!

Thank you, XX century, for the outstanding athletes you gave to the world. In one of the previous articles, we wrote about. In this article, we went even further and decided to identify the 10 greatest athletes of the second half of the twentieth century. Of course, we understand that at least a bunch of questions can fall on us, why this athlete is not there, but what about that athlete, etc. But, nevertheless, we decided to take this step, and after a rather lengthy and in-depth analysis, we present to your attention our list (not a rating, but a list) - top athletes 20th century. While preparing this article, we analyzed the performances of athletes, primarily in the international arena, their level of fame and popularity, their role in the development and popularization of sports on the planet, and, if you like, even their image and reputation. By the way, do not look for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Michael Schumacher, etc. here. are the legends of the 21st century.

10 greatest athletes of the second half of the twentieth century according to the website site

The legendary Ukrainian gymnast, who for many years had no equal at the Olympic Games of the 50-60s of the twentieth century. Latynina managed to win a fantastic 18 Olympic medals, 9 of which are gold. Until today, not a single woman has been able to repeat the achievement of an amazing athlete.

Who else? Only Michael Jordan is the personification of the NBA 80-90 years of the twentieth century. Only he could give such baggage of adrenaline and energy to millions of basketball fans. Jordan is not just an outstanding athlete, he is an amazing showman, a man on whom the moneybags of American sports have been doing business for several decades. Until now, on the Internet, millions of users are looking for games with the participation of "His Air".

"King of Boxing" Briefly, concisely, without alternative. An Olympic champion, an absolute world champion, a man who stopped wars, going against the system, one of a kind. His difficult character and sharp tongue are still being discussed by fans of that tough and spectacular boxing.

Pele

Another king. Why is he and not? Pele is the author of more than a thousand goals (yes, yes, we know in which gate he scored a dozen of his goals, but this in no way reduces his achievement), the only three-time world champion in the history of football. It was his book “I am Pele” that made a huge number of Brazilian boys learn to read, just to read a book about their king.

Bjorn Daly

Who is it? We knew what you would ask. And this is an eight-time Olympic champion in cross-country skiing. The most titled Olympic champion of the 20th century in the history of the Winter Olympics. No that's not , though also Norwegian. In addition, Bjoerndalen is a biathlete. By the way, Bjoerndalen also has 8 gold medals, but in the 20th century he won only one Olympic gold.

The meeting of the young Carl Lewis with the legendary became prophetic. Carl Lewis is rightfully the most outstanding athlete of the second half of the twentieth century. The American has 9 gold medals (an absolute record reached by a few). In addition, I have never been caught doping, well done. Not like now. Whatever the champion, the walking laboratory. In general, who is in the subject, he understood))).

59 Grand Slam titles. 9 times the tennis player has won Wimbledon in singles. Her fantastic game has captivated court fans for decades. When she was in shape, no one could compete with her on equal terms, even . Homosexual? Guys, let's be tolerant.

There are no options here. Only Gretzky. The hockey player who turned the idea of ​​the fastest game on the planet upside down. More than 60 personal records, many of which are still held today. In all world rankings, Wayne Gretzky is the No. 1 hockey player on the planet.

For a long time, Mark Spitz held the record for the most Olympic medals won in a single Olympic Games. It happened way back in 1972. Spitz won 7 gold awards out of a possible 7. There was simply no more. Won and retired from the sport, and this is 22 years old. Who broke his record? Look at the photo.

Here we decided to move away from the idea: one sport - one athlete. Well, it was impossible not to include Iron Mike in the list of the best athletes in the world. He burst into professional boxing from an incredibly terrible, cruel and impoverished world. Life beat him before boxing, beat him during, beat him after. If you are judging him, don't. Just read his autobiography and you'll understand. We have read. God forbid someone such a fate. A phenomenal champion for all time, unlike anyone else, the last representative of that boxing, which now can only be remembered. There has never been such a boxing, and probably never will be.