British Greatest of All Time Sportsperson

[ededwards]

I give you, without equivocation, Sir Steve Redgrave. Five Olypmic Golds in consecutive Games over 16 years. Diagnosed with diabetes in 1997 yet still won Gold at Sydney. Ferociously difficult, demanding and pretty unglamorous sport with almost no financial reward. Generous and modest in victory. Inspirational is a word used far too easily. But that sums up Steve Redgrave.

So, who do you think is the British GOAT and why.

 

[kaiser]

Hard to argue with yer choice ed but for consideration I'll put forward Chrissie Wellington. 3 time(consecutive) World Ironman champion and, she is destroying the record books. Vastly underrated and probably one of the best current athletes in Britain has at the moment. Has the potential to be the greatest ever Iron distance racer of all time.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrissie_Wellington

 

[paininthe]

For your consideration I propose Daly Thompson numerous World, Olympic, European and Commonwealth golds. Still the British record holder.

For younger readers in the Decathalon 10 events spread over 2 days.

 

[REKIBorter]

..Sir Steve Redgrave...

But he's an arseh*le to deal with. During the late 90's Mrs Reki worked in the marketing dept of Oakley UK, he was one of her clients. Most arrogant tw*t ever and his Mrs is just as bad. The other rowers were really nice guys to talk to. When they won a medal they used to come in and meet the staff and show them what they had won. Not Sir Steve, far too important to be doing things like that.

Accomplished athlete, yes, but sports personality, no.

 

[REKIBorter]

Nicole Cooke - Olympic and World champion road race gold medalist 2008. Won the senior GBR British National Road Race Champs when only 16 years old.

 

[kaiser]

Nicole Cooke - Olympic and World champion road race gold medalist 2008. Won the senior GBR British National Road Race Champs when only 16 years old.

Good call another of our world class female athletes.

 

[ringo]

Jim Clark.

 

[Dr S]

Jimmy Clark. The greatest driver of all time. Sublime talent that could win in any car at any level. If the Lotus cars he drove at the time had been more reliable he would have won many more races. Every driver at the time adored him for his sense of fair play, his honesty and brutal loyalty. The bloke never had an enemy which speaks measures of a man that became a world champion. A shy, common man at heart, never happier than when he was back home amongst his fellow farmers in the borders. A finer gentleman there has never been. Good old Jimmy.

 

[FairfaxPat]

Jim Clark was my hero when I was young-probably the greatest driver of his era-also liked John Surtees and Mike Hailwood from your country. Pat

 

[Grannygrinder]

+1 for John Surtees
Shame about Regrave being not all nice, he comes over ok, but then he would i suppose :roll:
Stephen Roche maybe