The Greatest Sportsmen & Sportswomen

[dtaai-maai]

I'm a Borg fan!

Resistance is futile! But can assimilation and planetary destruction really be considered sports?

[caller]

I think any sportsman can only really be judged against the best of their generation.

However, I do agree there are some individuals and teams who can rise above that. But they are few and far between. I am thinking of the Brazil team of 1970, Federer and I too would add Thompson. Sportsmen and women that had an aura about them and their achievements.

[HarryVardon]

I assumed we were only talking about British stars. If we include the rest of the world then the list becomes enormous: Jack Nicklaus, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Bobby Jones, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Martina Navratilova, Cassius Clay, Rocky Marciano, Eddy Merkx, Johan Cruyff, Pele, Barry John, Carl Lewis, etc., etc.

[pharvey]

I assumed we were only talking about British stars. If we include the rest of the world then the list becomes enormous: Jack Nicklaus, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Bobby Jones, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Martina Navratilova, Cassius Clay, Rocky Marciano, Eddy Merkx, Johan Cruyff, Pele, Barry John, Carl Lewis, etc., etc.

In what way would the title "The Greatest Sportsmen & Sportswomen" limit the choice to "British stars"? This is not meant as a particularly serious debate, more a light hearted question as to people's opinion on sporting stars..... lighten up.... "know what I mean Harry"

Resistance is futile! But can assimilation and planetary destruction really be considered sports?

Christ, don't you start.....

[lindosfan1]

Here is one no one talks about Jonathan Edwards set the world record for the hop skip and jump in 1995. He has held that record for longer than Bob Beamans long jump. Both were very good athletes.

[pharvey]

Here is one no one talks about Jonathan Edwards set the world record for the hop skip and jump in 1995. He has held that record for longer than Bob Beamans long jump. Both were very good athletes.

"Hop, skip and jump"..... not heard that for many a year ! Jonathan Edwards' "Triple Jump" record was quite incredible - a new technique that certainly worked for him..... at least for a while. A bolt from the blue and didn't really compete over time - there one minute, gone the next. Much the same as Lynn Davies' Long Jump record - never heard of him? There you go....

[Lost]

Here is one no one talks about Jonathan Edwards set the world record for the hop skip and jump in 1995. He has held that record for longer than Bob Beamans long jump. Both were very good athletes.

If I remember correctly he hop, skip and jumped a world record jump... then beat that world record jump 5 minutes later with a better world record jump.

[dtaai-maai]

Much the same as Lynn Davies' Long Jump record - never heard of him? There you go....

I remember Lynn Davies very well, she was a fine Welsh athlete.

2 more British suggestions: Nick Faldo and 'Enery Cooper.

[pharvey]

Much the same as Lynn Davies' Long Jump record - never heard of him? There you go....

I remember Lynn Davies very well, she was a fine Welsh athlete.

Are you planning on visiting Wales anytime soon.....?

[lindosfan1]

I Have enjoyed playing and watching snooker for years (to many to count). I remember pot black in black and white.
This weekend I watched the final of the world championship. 0'Sullivan was brilliant on the first session, useless on the second and superb on the third. When he is on form it is like watching an artist, his skill is amazing. He seems to struggle with himself sometimes, but when he is on form, no-one can beat him. He is the best I have ever seen.

[pharvey]

^ Good God, "Pot Black" now there's a blast from the past! Remember it, but not in Black & White.....

Used to enjoy snooker, but have not watched for many years now. 0'Sullivan may be a class player, but in all honesty he's a complete @reshole - can't stand the man.

I remember the likes of Terry Griffiths, Ray Reardon, Cliff Thorburn et tal - and who could forget Bill Werbeniuk who would down 20 odd pints a match..... and still play a wonderful game.

[lindosfan1]

There was a commentator when it was in black and white who said, the red ball is behnd the blue ball, if forget who it was but it has appeared on many blooper programmes.

[HarryVardon]

If we are talking about the best snooker player (and billiards) of all time it has to be Joe Davis. His brother Fred was almost as good.

[sateeb]

If we are talking about the best snooker player (and billiards) of all time it has to be Joe Davis. His brother Fred was almost as good.

I,m guessing you are rather advanced in years looking at some of your choices. Personally speaking I think that Ronnie O'Sullivan would wipe the floor with Fred or Joe. As for Duncan Edwards he was tragically killed in the Munich air crash aged 21yrs so he hadn't yet reached his full potential and certainly not achieved any successes of note to be mentioned alongside Pele,Ronaldo(both), Messi et al.

Nice choices but mired in nostalgia

[dtaai-maai]

If we are talking about the best snooker player (and billiards) of all time it has to be Joe Davis. His brother Fred was almost as good.

Personally speaking I think that Ronnie O'Sullivan would wipe the floor with Fred or Joe.

Not a chance. He'd have died of boredom while waiting for his turn...