Bob Mathias. Won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the decathlon. Real claim to fame - he never lost. Not in high school, or college or the Olympics.

Dave, Milford, USA

Jim Thorpe? I guess no one remembers him. Many consider him the greatest athlete of all time. Olympics, college football, pro football, baseball, track and field, etc. He was great at every sport he touched.

Raven Lee, Middleton, USA

Secretariat in 1973 triple crown performance can never be reached by any athlete, M.Jordan would have to score 100+points to mach on NBA finals to match Secretariat Belmont record, I say Mohamed Ali can tie him maybe, because mohamed Ali had a big heart like Secretariat.

jamal , ottawa, canada

There is no way that Joe Montana is "greater" than Michael Jordan. Not in anyway. And not only did MJ win more championships (in a league with more parity), he transcended sports; he became in international icon. No athlete, except for Ali, was (and is) as recognizable as MJ in his prime.

Ali, Chicago, US

Ahem...surely you jest in leaving off the list none other than "Dr. J" Julius Erving. No one, not even Jordan, could surpass his acrobatic feats on the b-ball court.

Sue, Lowell,

Any list without Jackie Robinson has to be suspect. This was a man who excelled in several sports. Most observers in his time said he was a better football and basketball player. I see no one on this list that exceeds Robinson.

Harold, Laguna Woods, California

I swear Gretzsky is CANADIAN and PELE is brazilian i mean seriously peeps it does say AMERICAN on the list right or am I confused????

Lorraine, London, England

I think it's great that the Americans claim Gretzky, Pele and Comanechi as their own. One fella even called ice hockey an American sport.
Next thing you know they'll be claiming David Beckham and soccer are American too.
McEnroe was born in Germany by the way.

Mike, Boston, MA

I think definitely Michael Jordan should be in first place, he demostrated he was the only one player with a lot of habilities.

Eduardo López, DF, México

Being written from a Brit's perspective, the list is a good one. Regarding John McEnroe, you should have bitten the bullet and gone with Pete Sampras.

A sporting event not mentioned, which drew an enormous US response (don't know about in England) was the 1999 Women's World Soccer Championship -- won by the US over China. That event launched US amateur woman's soccer into world class.

Steve, Chico, USA

If we're talking about retired American sportsmen then this is fine...otherwise, Tiger Woods is a glaring omission.

Eshaan Akbar, London, England

Lance Armstrong - Yes. You can understand the doubters but he's never tested positive and he was certainly tested enough times.

Philip Morgan, Rock, Worcestershire, UK

Lance Armstrong?
You must be joking? You cannot put any cyclist in the top. After all that has been revealed, and all that is to come, Lance Armstrong should not be in the top. There are other sportsmen much better than him.

Rudy Kayibanda, Brussels, Belgium

To have Michael Jordan at only 5th is frankly laughable, he is easily in the top 2 with Ali who possibly takes it for is antics out the ring aswell as in it.

Kieran Speirs, Edinburgh, Scotland

Anyone remotely familiar with US sports would not disagree with one of the selections in this piece.

Bill Smith, Palm Desert, Calif. US

Depending on whether it's players only you want, Walter Camp (1859-1925). If ever there was a man who invented a sport, it's Camp, who single-handedly rang the changes which turned a variety of rugby into American NFL we know today. 1880 - rugby scrummage to scrimmage, and 15 on the field down to 11; 1882 - the system of downs and play-calling signals; 1883 - the scoring values for TDs, points after, field goals and safeties; 1888 - fewer restrictions on tackilng. Remained influential till his death, especially for his All-America (college) Team in Collier's Weekly.

Love or loathe the game, without Camp the world would have one less alternative to those two essentially one-dimensional globalised football codes through which the late (and, despite PC herd-thinking, not always unlamented) British Empire has impoverished the sporting cultures of an ungrateful world. Thank the gods of sport for Gaelic, American and Australian Football.

Leonard Colquhoun, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

No Gretzky or Howe? Or any hockey player for that matter?

Patrick, Barnegat, NJ

As a brit i have to say that i have not heard of some of the poeple that other commenters have mentioned, and as this is a list that is really about those US sportsmen and women that have had a WORLD impact i have to say that the list is pretty good.

I dont think the number 1 spot will ever be questioned.

I would although suggest that Carl Lewis, Ed Moses, Martina Navaratalova and Tiger Woods shold be on the list - maybe in order to justice to these great achievers we should lengthen the list to 50?

seth taylor, cambs, uk

Sadly, memories are short. The 20th Century Athlete that had the greatest impact on sport - Olympics, professional football and baseball . . . was Jim Thorpe, the Carlise Indian. His prowess in the Olympics and the debate over his amateur status created social change and insight that is with us nearly 100 years later.

Hal Coxon, Grayslake, IL USA

Tiger Woods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Golf Domination on a scale never seen before!
Where is his name?

Robster, Miami, Florida

Never mind that McEnroe doesn't rate in the Top Three American tennis players (Ashe the greatest impact, Sampras the most major titles, Agassi the career Grand Slam), but any such list which doesn't include Jackie Robinson is authored by someone unqualified for the task.

david crane, Monerey, Massachusetts

No-one has mentioned the late Al Oerter, the greatest Olympian ever.

michael connor, Ambleside, UK

Putting a list together like this is brave Nick - it's always going to be open to criticism. That's said, I think you did a fine job.

Garry, Colorado Springs, USA/Colorado

If Wayne Gretzky isn't on a list such as this, than the list is worthless. He crushed every record and may be the best of the best in any sport ever played.

Randy, Boston, ma

I agree tha Ali is probably the greates of all time. The man had charisma and talent, He really was a legend in his own lifetiem.
I suspect that in another 10 years he will still be top. I anticipate that in that period Tiger Wodds will make the Top ten.

Ronnie April, London, England

The greatest pure hitter in American Baseball was Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox. A REAL AMERICAN HERO, not just another "Sucked Up to Bogus Sports Hero Pritty Boy", but was the last ballplayer to hit over 400, and served his country in WWll, and was a Marine Jet Fighter Pilot in the Korean War, was shot at and missed and landed his damaged jet in the process. Just think, if he had those 3 plus years of active sports play, what records would have been set. As for Ali, just another big mouth compared to someone like "Teddy Ballgame". Oh, I forgot, it isn't popular these day to be a War Hero, being a Big Mouthed Gutless Anti-Hero is more the style for you folks! Really should have known shouldn't I?

jim johnson, framingham, USA

Dale Sr and Mario Andretti should be on that list.

Michael Kalb, Austin, Texas

Babe Ruth
Michael Jordan
Jack Nicklaus
Jim Thorpe
Lance Armstrong
Tiger Woods
Babe Zaharias
Wayne Gretzky
Jim Thorpe
Edwin Moses

Their are so many great atheletes, I think we need to make it at least the top 20 .

Anton Henderson, Richmond, Va.

What?! No OJ Simpson?

You've got to be kidding!!

No one has captured the attention of America on and off the pitch like OJ!

James Howard, Brisbane,

I think some people miss the point here. This is an English guy writing about great American sports people, for that very reason they have to transend the sport.

The likes of Wilt Chamberlin or Jim Thorpe who? great they may be in the USA but in the rest of the world nobodys heard of them.

Ali is not just the No1 American he is probably No1 in the world, Jesse Owens is there because under great provecation he was probably the greatest sporting ambassador for a country and a people ever.

Lists like this are always contentious do I agree with it? Of course not, that the beauty of a list like this.

Steve Edwards, London, England

Where are Carl Lewis and Ed Moses in this list?

The former is the most celebrated Olympian, and the latter has the unique record of never having been beaten in the most technically demanding race i.e. 400 m hurdles.

Ed is also a fine ambassador of sport, and he too [ like Ali] is black. That makes him as much of an icon as anyone else.

Ramesh, Bangalore, India

Great list -- you guys are pretty clued in. Joe Montana is an especially good choice to represent football. The guy just knew how to win. One of the TV sportscasters called him "cooler than the other side of the pillow." Perfect

Bob, Osaka, Japan

No Deion Sanders? surely you jest....

Martin Corley, Dublin, Ireland

Mario Andretti should be in there somewhere, don't you think?

Bill Beetham, Moscow, Russia

Can anyone tell me what John McEnroe is doing on this list?

J. Johnson, London,

Wilt Chamberlain.

You guys can fight over the rest.

Jim Smith, Austin, Texas

As this article addresses the greatest figures in American sports but is not limited to athletes, I must object that it does not contain Vince Lombardi. The legendary coach who lead the Green Bay Packers to five consecutive NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. Although he is known for his work as a professional sports figure, he started out as a high school football, basketball and baseball coach who also taught Latin, algebra, physics and chemistry. Lombardi was the sort of man who could inspire a Sunday league team to trounce Man United at Old Trafford, and his quotes are the stuff of legend, applying to more than just sport. I hope those who read this will be as inspired his Packers were:
"The spirit, the will to win and the will to excel-these are the things that endure and these are the qualities that are so much more important than any of the events that occasion them"
"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."

Seth Flanagan, Tampa, Florida

How could you forget Jim Thorpe??? He was a REAL all American, because he was Native American. The man could do it all. A great athlete, who overcame stigma in his own homeland. What a shame he is not on your list.

Jackie Mitchell, a female pitcher, struck Babe Ruth out, which made him rather mad according to the papers of the day. Sadly her contract was voided right after that game because the owners though baseball was "too strenuous" for women. She's one of the best athletes to play the game that was called out on a technicality. But I digress :)

Holly, Los Angeles, CA USA

Are you people for real, how on earth can anybody be put before Lance Armstrong? I have no aligances to cycling i dont even like it that much but what that man achieved was unbeliveable.

Tony, Manchester,

To Bill from Seattle, you are assuming that your government is always right and your statements sound racially motivated. Ali is a great american and I agree with him being at the top of the list as an athlete.

James, Monterey, CA

Bill, from Seattle..

Regardless of racial politics, Ali was an amazing boxer and sporting icon. His banter and performances in the ring made him the ultimate boxer and representative of the sport., no one else has been fast enough to toy with their opponents and drop their guard, his footwork is nigh on perfect. There were very few white boxers that compared, perhaps Jack Dempsey came closest.

Besides....the 'classy Canadian' Wayne Gretzky, was, after all, Canadian, so why would he even be in contention for a list of US atheletes.

Tristan Jones, Beijing, China

It is a shame to put an anti American ot the top of the list.
He got his glory from the media which supported a black athlete.
If He was white the media was not going to be so supportive.
There are many white athletes that are greater than Ali.
I can mention Wayne Gretzky-the classy Canadian I watched for years He did everything in his time.
Ali is there because He did not go to Vietnam,for which He got what he deserve.
And again if that was a white person the liberal media was going to give him a pass.
Any of the NINE ot the top list could be nomer one but Clay.

Bill, seattle, Washington

Who cares apart from the "septics" all big in their own back-yard

Michael Holloway, Sydney, Australia/ NSW

Pete, St Albans
Your assertion that no one has ever dominated their respective sport as Jordon did is wrong, your 4th Selection, Wayne Gretzky, who by the way played a Canadian sport, holds 61 scoring records, sounds rather dominant doesn't it. His most noteworthy record was most points in a season, a total of 255 in 1984-85, when the second place scorer was 73 points behind him. No other player can match such achievements in any sport. Gretzky is the athlete of the 20th century, bar none.

Jim, Toronto, Canada

Great selections on the top 10. But there are/were so many greats maybe the article should have featured the top 4 or 5 in each category, except the TDF, as there were many, many great but less controversial athletes who didn't get the hype these received. But these are admirable choices nonetheless.
JP Collins, Louisville, KY, USA

JP Collins, Louisville,, KY, USA

Michael Jordan should ALWAYS be #1. No one dominated their respective sports the way he did. Not only was he one of the best offensive players ever, but he was also one of the best defensive players in the history of the NBA. To the person who thinks Dr. J would run circles around His Airness...Jordan was running circles around Dr. J when he hit the NBA in 1983 and Dr. J himself would profess Jordan as the best player the NBA has ever seen. In fact, every person who is/has been a part of the NBA will agree that Michael Jordan was the best player...ever. Case closed.

Top 10 List:

1) Michael Jordan, Basketball

2) Muhammed Ali, Boxing

3) Babe Ruth, Baseball

4) Wayne Gretzky, Hockey (Yes, he's Canadian, but he played an American sport)

5) Lance Armstrong, Cycling

6a) Joe Montana, Football; 6b) Jerry Rice, Football

7) Wilt Chamberlain, Basketball

8) Tiger Woods, Golf

9) Pete Sampras, Tennis

10) Tim Tebow, College Football*

* will be #10 because he's a freak

Tom Ferguson, Dunmore, Pennsylvania, United States

Wheres Mario Andretti?
Possibly the greatest all round racing driver ever.

Pete , St Albans, England

It's disgusting how ppl are willing to let the mud stick to Lance Armstrong. A dodgy-leaked B sample from a French lab is the only piece of "evidence" for him taking performance enhancing drugs, albeit there were a lot of people trying to get him day in day out for 7 TDFs!

Out of all the sports, the TDF is the toughest. It aint riding a bicycle to shops for a pint of milk; most people would not be able to actually finish the TDF in a year.

Rory, Tokyo,

I found this article (and particularly the comments) fascinating. There are so many different views about how we should determine the ten greatest US sports men and women. Some will define it as the ten greatest athletes in US history (Jim Thorpe), some will argue it is US athletes that have reached iconic status (Muhammed Ali) and some will argue for those that have meant the most to US sport (Jackie Robinson). As with any subjective list, there is no right or wrong answer. I am interested particularly in the views of those across the pond. Americans must remember that this is a British columnist's opintion. There are obviously many athletes that are important to Americans that many Brits may not recognize. Equally, there are persons on this list that most Americans would probably not consider in their list of 10 greatest sports figures (M. Spitz). For the record (in no particular order), my list is Ali, Babe, MJ, Thorpe, Jim Brown, Willie Mays, Nicklaus, Dr. J, Wilt and Tiger.

Joe T, Irvine, CA/USA

Muhammed Ali is neither the greatest boxer of all time, nor the greatest heavyweight of all time. Those two would be, respectively, Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Lewis -- and they are both Yanks. But I guess their lives weren't filled with enough controversy to make the list.

Scott Spires, Romagna, Italy

I think Pele should also be included in the list. And Haile G/Selasie is the best athlet ever. I think he should be included.

ater, india, india

I agree with Ward Kirkwood from Taunton that Russel should have been included on this list. As far as baseball players Ted Williams also should be included. Babe's record has been broken twice, once without performance-enhancing drugs. Williams was the greatest hitter who ever lived and let's not forget the five years he lost in his prime serving his nation in TWO wars.No one has come even close to hitting.406 since teddyballgame.

Dave K., Mansfield, MA

The key is US There are a bunch if non-US examples.
If you go no-US Pele is the only choice for #1

ET, Atlanta, GA

By the way the only thing Mike Jordan was, was the greatest shoe salesman.

ET, Atlanta, GA

Lawrence Taylor - New York Giants - No more to be said

Ross, bucks, uk

Some people are going beyond the scope of the title of the article. The topic of the article is "Who are the top-10 greatest "US" men and women athletes", not considering any other nation. In this light my top 10 are:

1). Muhammad Ali
2). Babe Ruth
3). Michael Jordan
4). Jim Brown
5). Babe Zacharias
6). Jim Thorpe (Burt Lancaster was great in the movie)
7). Jack Nicklaus
8). Bill Russell
9). Gordie Howe
10). Wilt Chamberlain

Ron, Chicago, United States

Too many men! How could you forget Nadia Comaneci and the 1976 Olympics?

Liz, Oak Park, IL

No way on Spitz. That was two weeks of glory. Michael Phelps already is more dominant than Spitz, as his excellence has been sustained over years, not weeks.

Paul Kelly, Marcellus, NY

Stick the name Jimmy Johnston into YouTube and you'll soon see who the greatest sportsman ever was....go on you know you want to....

Shaun, Glasgow,

pete sampras

murat, istanbul, turkey

How about pete sampras or roger federer although neither has won on clay

edgar Geigel, orlando, fl

They are all Christ! Leave it alone and argue calculus.

Dennis, Seattle, Washington

The vaguenes of the criteria in compiling the list renders it suspect, however any such list properly formulated would have to contain the name of Eddie Feigner.

william Knapp, toronto, Canada

what about Dan Marino or Cy young or bill russel or larry bird or magic johnson

Darvin Kabel, Fairfield,

Tyson would not beat Marciano, Sonny Liston or Foreman, they were they great monster brawlers of their time and Ali beat two of them. Tyson would have been retired by Ali. Ali won the olypic gold when it mattered and dominated his sport when it was at it's peak. In fact he lifted the sport to new and global hieghts.
Tyson was an ignorent bully who could not even beat a blown up light heavy wieght (Hollyfield) when he could not win, he bit, and tried to break arms. Tyson led to the end of boxing.
Anybody who claims Tyson was better than Ali is a fool.

Paddy Bendelow, romford, essex

I am tired of reading about how great Muhammad Ali was. I have seen the films and he was nothing special inside the ring. Mike Tyson at his peak would have knocked Ali out in his prime. I would put Sugar Ray Leonard ahead of either of them. Babe Ruth is the greatest American athlete. He hit more homeruns in one season than any TEAM one year.

Ben Dover, Irvine, CA, USA

How about 'a British list of British greats'? How about?: Bobby Charlton, WG Grace, Lenox Lewis, Paula Radcliffe, Seb Coe, Ellen McArthur, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Jonny Wilkinson, Jim Clark, Steve Redgrave, Fred Perry...woops, that's eleven! And Ian Botham?

Steve Jackson, London, UK

Here's the official list of best 10 athletes in US History. Top ranking to multi-sport athletes, then to those overcoming long odds, then to specialists in their sports. And of course, all of it clouded by what and who lore has made us forget and remember.

1. Jim Brown
2. Jim Thorpe
3. Michael Jordan
4. Babe Zaharias
5. Wilma Rudolph
6. Lance Armstrong
7. Edwin Moses
8. Muhammad Ali
9. Rocky Marciano
10. Bobby Jones

Tom Heil, Paoli, PA

Michelle Kwan, for sportswomanship.

Ben Huang, Pasadena, California

Boo, yawn....how about Tiger Woods. Greatness isn't just about getting the job done, it is about how you handle yourself 24/7. Also, why are they all men? ;)

Craig, Sydney, Australia

Joe Louis!

His first round k.o. of Max Schmelling in 1938 provided a truly incredible boost to America's sagging morale which was still suffering from the Great Depression and becoming increasingly nervous about the prospect of world war.

Louis was the sport's first "scientific boxer" and he was a great gentleman. I was a kid when I listened to all his fights on the radio and I loved him. I still miss him.

Brewster Campbell, Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA

Clearly you are all mistaken. The best athlete in US sportng history is the Road Runner...beep, beep!

Coyote, Flagstaff, AZ, USD

what ever happened to rocky marciano his record is worthless???????

b johnson, folkestone, kent

Nick Szczepanik seems to be picking people more for there iconic value than for their records. That's fine and dandy.
I'd like to point out that with the exception of Ruth and Owens the choices are all pretty modern.
There aren't many records of athletes from earlier than 1900. Off hand I can only think of the boxer John L. Sullivan. Sullivan in his own way may have defined what it means to be a sports star.
Were there other athletes in America's first century and a quarter that might have been worthy of consideration? Perhaps not, but it kind of makes any list that doesn't at least nod at the pre-mass communication age, suspect.

My own choice for number one is Ali without a doubt, The rest I'll let others sort out.

Buzz Cook, Everett , Washington

Got to put Michael Johnson in there. 19.3secs for 200m - unbelievable...

dean, london,

Sampras where is he??????????

adam, london, Kent

Ali transcended boxing. He transcended sport. He is a global icon and a giant of our time. No-one else comes close.
I'd also like to see Randy Couture in the list. A phenomenal performer in his chosen sport, he's also a total gentleman and 100% class act.

Richard, Pembs, UK

Can any American admit that there are serious doubts about Lance Armstrong being clean during all these Tour de France winnings ?...
All the other main cyclists of this period admitted that they took drugs and none could beat him.
Of course there is no proof but it certainly looks suspicious...

flox, paris, france

Without a doubt Ali is the No. 1. When he danced in the ring, the world stopped. People all over the world took a break from whatever they were doing just to watch the live telecast of his fight.

His is the most recognised American face in the whole world, not even any US President came close.

Must I say more.

Hamzah Sidek, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Quote: "major lol @ bj king and mcenroe over sampras

dan, london,"

Billie-Jean King over Sampras isn't such a laugh, nor is Mac.
Sampras won more slams but we're looking at OVERALL achievements, not only sporting ones.

I feel Ali, shouldn't be n1. Jordan and MJ are both better for me.

Miguel King, Girona, Spain

If Jesse Owens is included then surely Michael Johnson has to be. He is without question the greatest 200m and 400m runner of all time. His records have stood for over ten years with no one coming even close to his 19.32. Unlike the 100m which is broken ever year or so, his 200m and 400m have stood the test of (relatively short) time even with better training techniques and all the drugs around. The guy is a brilliant pundit as well.

Jimmi Marni, London, England

MJ all the way Ali is not no1 in USA, MJ was voted athlete of the century , he never lost in a final

anthony, raleigh , NC usa

major lol @ bj king and mcenroe over sampras

dan, london,

No mention of Arnold Palmer?

John Best, Waterlooville, UK

The list should be Ali, Ruth, Jordan, Nicklaus. In that order. No offense to Owens, whose accomplishments are great both socially and athletically but he's not Ali, Ruth, Jordan or Nicklaus. And if you want to go that route you are seriously forgetting Jackie Robinson

mike, Connecticut USA,

McEnroe? I can only assume that you're not much of a tennis fan.

Sampras won 14 Grand Slam titles to McEnroe's 7. Furthermore, McEnroe's were all at Wimbledon & the US Open. There's even a much stronger case to make for Andre Agassi rather than McEnroe who not only won 8 Slams, but also remains one of the only four men in history to win all four.

Lance Armstrong is a tough call, sadly the Tour-de-France is such a tarnished sport it's hard to position his achievements, given the less than clean nature of the sport in recent years.

I also think that there's a case for Tiger Woods to be in this list given what he's achieved and done for the sport over the past 10 years.

Stav, London,

I am and always have been pro-American but there are sportsmen in other countries, you know. Having had a small and non-sporting involvement with Ali some 20 odd years back, I must say that I do not share most of your correspondents' views on him. Maybe one day some more stories will emerge.

David, Poole,

Montana in the top ten is questionable; Montana above Michael Jordan is insane. Billie Jean King and no Jackie Robinson? John McEnroe was not even the most successful player in his own sport. Much like Americans fail to understand the role of soccer in Britain, the cultural impact and atheletic legacy of many American sports figures can be lost in translation.

Chase, Washington DC,

Lance Armstrong? He is a non-entity in the United States. Mike Tyson makes LA look like dirt, demolishing every opponent for many years, he was unbelievable impressive from 1982-1990.

Peter Evans, Weymouth, MA, USA

There have only been unrelenting accusations (ALL discredited) against Lance Armstrong regarding doping - never proof. There will always be the little malcontent rats who try to nibble away at the greatness of those who are superior to themselves.

Steven M. Armstrong, Virginia Beach, Virginia USA

Muhammad Ali's combination of stylistic and technical virtuosity, physical and mental resilience, killer good looks, social conscience and extraordinary wit and personality make him a uniqely rich figure in sports. There is no-one with quite those characteristics in US and world sports and - in an era when the sponsor tells the athlete what to say, how to say it, what to wear and who to date - it's most unlikely there will ever be anyone quite like him.

Ovais Naqvi, London, UK

Can I ask if our American readers take it that top ten US also means top ten in the world?

O.R. CONTONA, manchester, britian

pfft

all you people are wrong.

ric 'the nature boy' flair has been a world champion 16 times

discussion over

your mama, london,

This list seems to be very American. Im not saying any of those in the list are not great sportsman. But the rest of world sporting history is filled with fantastic athletes from across the world that were born outside the usa and made huge contributions to their sports.

Aaron, Nottingham , England

How about Tim Henman, come on Tim!

Chicken Ranch, Stockholm, Sweden

Whereas Ali was without a doubt the most charismatic champion and clearly a fan favourite he did lose his title and I am not talking about when it was taken from him. He lost fights. He redefined what boxing and with Don King what boxing promotion was about. For this he must be on the list but what about the only undefeated Heavyweight champion - Rocky Marciano? Yes he was unstylish and bull like but he, unlike Ali left the squared circle undefeated. If you are considering a list of sporting achievements surely that must be ranked in the top 10 somewhere?

Michaelangelo Krango, San Francisco, CA, US

The problem with this list is that it assumes an athlete in each sport must be ranked. Wrong! My top ten athletes did not include any baseball players. Nor did Mcenroe make the top ten.

Femi, lauderhill, USA/Florida

Anyone suggesting that a greater sprint athlete than Jesse Owens exists is sadly misinformed. Carl Lewis is an insult to Owens' legacy.

Andy, Alion, MI, USA

Whoa, whoa. There has never been a single shred of credible evidence against Lance. Not one. Bonds, on the other hand, ADMITTED in (leaked) grand jury testimony that he took two designer anabolic steroids. When two San Francisco Chronicle reporters wrote a book about it, Bonds sued them for libel, then dropped the case a few months later.

Why would he drop the case if he was innocent?

Why is it a given that Lance wasn't clean in Europe? I'm not really one to give athletes the benefit of the doubt when it comes to doping, but you'd have to think that if Lance wasn't clean he'd have been caught. He's the most tested athlete in the history of sport. It's not like he came out of nowhere to win the Tour 7 times - he had a few stage wins in 95/96 and was a world champion in '93.

Brendan, Virginia, USA

Lance Armstrong!
Barry Bonds is excluded no doubt because of unproven allegations.
The evidence against Armstrong is much stronger then the evidence used to damn bonds. But Lance is untouchable, why?
He is not a champion and in Europe it is a given that he was not clean.

peter Barry, romford, essex

I agree with all the names in the list except Billy Jean King. I would place TIGER WOODS instead.

Carlos Meza, Stockton, California, USA

From the Western edge of the pond, we have to include the late Jackie Robinson, a four-sport star in college who integrated professional sports in the US. His class, his dignity and his ability leave an enduring legacy that only Ali even remotely approaches. More significant than his considerable skills is the fact he changed the fabric of American society for the better.

Mike Elliott, Carmel, Indiana, USA

Ali is number 1 in the world of US, European, Australian, African, Asian and anywhere else in the known universe sport. The word legand is thrown around cheaply when talking about sports men and women however Ali is a true living legand.

Tomlinson to add his name to this list by the time he retires, already being called the greatest ever just needs a Super Bowl ring to crown things off.

One name missing from the list is Michael Johnson, the best 400m runner of all time.

David J Sherwood, Upminster, Essex/England

I've noticed that The Times sport section always seems to overlook motorsports when it comes to comparing people from different sports, so on that basis I'd nominate:

AJ Foyt, 4-time Indy 500 winner, 2-time IROC champion, also won Daytona 500 and Le Mans

Mario Andretti, F1 World Champion, 2-time IROC/Cart Champion, winner of Indy 500 and Daytona 500

One or the other really ought to be on this list.

Mark Heenan, Stafford, UK

Rocky Balboa is the most respected American sportsman this side of the pond. Food for thought?

Darren Jones, Buckley, Wales

Rocky Balboa is the most recognised US sporting icon over here. Food for eating.

Darren, Buckley, Wales

To consist of the greatest US sportsmen and women, you must go with:

1. Babe Ruth - changed the game forever, a VERY good pitcher also. Ruthian made the dictionary.
2. Babe Zaharias - baseball, basketball, golf (82 wins, 17 straight as an amatuer), track AND field (numerous World Records), tennis. Tops in all. Arguably the best athlete of the 20th century.
3. Jim Thorpe - Professional football, baseball and World beating athlete
4. Jim Brown - 9 seasons 12,312 yards. Led league in 8 years.
5. Lance Armstrong - 7 straight TDF's
6. Bobby Jones - Probably the best golfer to date. Won 13 of the 20 majors he entered including Amatuers. He was a part time amatuer his entire career.
7. Edwin Moses - Simply the worlds best at his craft. Took on the worlds best and did not lose for nearly 10 years.
8. Ali - Champion and activist. Could be the reason for the way boxing is today.
9. Jordan - Was allowed to play by different rules.
10. Willie Mays - First true five tool player

Randy Wood, Fort Mill, USA/South Carolina

Who ever said PELE, is clearly forgetting that PELE was in fact Brazilian, not American.

Mike Adams, Rugby, England

You leave out Joe Lewis?
The second Black man to win the heavyweight crown, who ceaselessly worked to promote war bonds during the second world war and then was crucified by a dishonest government afterwards?
Disgusting. but this is a list of great sportsman not great men .

Minnie Ovens, LA, CA, USA

I agree with ali at number one but what about Joe Louis, Carl lewis and Sugar Ray Robinson?

John Morris, Birmingham, United kingdom

Have you all forgotten about PELE

Kofi, Minneapolis, usa

You left out John Unitas? Best quarterback in the history of Ameican football. Serious oversight.

Tom Clancy, Baltimore, Maryland

Half of Americans don't know who Mark Spitz is? Try 90% don't know who he is. And the list is missing a few figures who are beyond greatness: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Jim Thorpe, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Johnny Unitas, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson... These are names that matter to Americans. These are people who American kids want to be when they grow up. Most Americans under 30 don't know who John McEnroe or Billie-Jean King are.

No one cares about boxing anymore. It, like tennis and hockey, is going the way of the buffalo.

John, Houston, Texas, USA

What about Tiger Woods? Has taken the white-dominated sport of golf and gave it a real wake-up call. He has been head and shoulders above all his fellow competitors for literally years, and there appears to be no end in sight for his reign at the top.
One can only imagine that it will come to an end when he choses, and not through any other means.

Mark Johnson, Nottingham, UK

I disagree with the idea that 10 different sports should be represented. There is no way athletes 7-10 were greater or had more impact than a Jim Brown or a Hank Aaron. Half of Americans probably don't know who Mark Spitz is.

1.Michael Jordan
2.Babe Ruth
3.Muhammad Ali
4.Hank Aaron
5.Jim Brown
6.Barry Bonds
7.Wilt Chamberlain
8.Ted Williams
9.Willie Mays
10.Jerry Rice

Hunter, Sacramento, USA/California

Most people are trying to rate them as sportsmen. However the author is talking about greatness. In those terms fine.

I'd quibble the Jackie Robinson point people make. He was significant in that he was a first but if it was not him it would equally have been someone else. We are also imbuing a single event as a great turning point - dumbing down. Does his elevation make him great in his own terms - not for me. Hank Aaron may have been greater just for topping the Bambino to us Brits who read the Guinness Book of Records -Robinson was a ludicrously talented athlete mind.

Owens is big here albeit we are sold a myth about his significance then it seems

It is from our perspective although 50 weeks a year and in a month's time tennis players? If so Why McEnroe over Martina Navratilova? She pushed on the boundaries from BJK and is notably outspoken and herself. She also did not effectively end her top flight career early to party (what were Borg and McEnroe doing 25 to 30 odd?)

Jonathan da Silva, Feltham, Middlesex

What about Jim Thorpe?

G Terrance, Hogansburg,

IMO:

1. Ali-of this there can be no dispute
2. Jesse Owens
3. Michael Jordan
4. Tiger Woods
5. Michael Johnson
6. Jackie Robinson for all sports
7. Joe Louis-sooo dominant. Just lacked personality and intelligence.
8. Babe Ruth
9. Sugar Ray Robinson
10. Pete Sampras.

No way should McEnroe. Sampras was miles ahead of him.

Being that US sports dont tend to be popular throughout the rest of teh world, we have a better idea on who made more of a global impact. Fair enough to comments by Americans, but you will be judging purely on how good they were compared to their contemperaries as opposed to how well their legend will go down. In the UK, we cant say how good Babe Ruth was as we know nothing about baseball but the fact that we have heard of him suggests that he was a legend. I would struggle to name another basball player.

Chris W, London, UK

If you use the criteria of "effect on the game/effect on the world," Ali is clearly in the first position, and Owens clearly belongs there. For the same reason, I wish that Jackie Robinson were included in the list - in the United States, his impact is readily apparent.

By that same criteria, I'd like to make an argument for naming Joe Namath instead of Joe Montana. Sure, Montana had the better stats, but Namath's victory in Super Bowl 3 gave the soon-to-be AFC legitimacy, thus strengthening the NFL to becoming the powerhouse that it is today...well, at least on this side of the pond.

Ontario Emperor, Ontario, California, USA

Babe Ruth #1.

Muhammed Ali #2.

Michael Jordan #3.

Jackie Robinson #4.

Jack Nicklaus #5.

Joe Montana #6.

Lance Armstrong #7.

Billie Jean King #8.

Carl Lewis #9.

Tiger Woods #10 (with a bullet).

NOTE: I don't think many Americans would put Jesse Owens in their Top 10, but I respect the fact that the author did.

Chad Lee, Austin, Texas, USA

How can you possibly overlook Jackie Robinson who changed the world and world of sport intermnably in arguablyhis FIFTH BEST sport. Check his pre-Dodger achievements in football, basketball, track and TENNIS (imagine being black and trying to get a court then). He's beyond Jim Thorpe and all the rest.

Bill Mayer, Lawrence, Kansas

U talk about this being a british list and thats why u included McEnroe.........what about Pete Sampras.......7 Wimbledon titles and winner of most number of grand slams......
what abt Tiger Woods, Bobby Fischer

shakil, brisbane, australia

I think everyone is forgetting Floyd Mayweather Jnr, the self proclaimed 'greatest boxer of all time'

ha, ha just joking.
But you would have to at least put Joe Louis and Ray Robinson over Ali, like Mayweather, just because someone tells you that they are the best, doesnt mean they actually are.

Gareth Jones, Cardiff, Wales / Chicago, IL, US / UK

McEnroe doesn't deserve a place anywhere on a list of sportsmen - it's a contradiction in terms.

Chas , Suffolk, UK

Billie Jean King was certainly one of America's great athletes. But to include her victory over 'the former world men's No. 1' (!) Bobby Riggs, in the same paragraph as her Grand Slam titles is ludicrous, if not insulting. Riggs was probably 30 years past his prime when he played King in 1973 at 55 years of age. He had a long career as a tennis hustler. If anything, attracting 30,000+ to the Houston Astrodome and 50 million to the television audience was Riggs's achievement, not King's. Her convincing victory rescued her sport from potential humiliation at the hands of washed up middle-aged men's players from the '30s. With all due respect to King (and she deseves a lot) a much better case can be made for Martina Navratilova - also an American - for really creating the modern-day women's game.

Dave, Calgary, Canada

Very irritating predictable list.. Ali is clearly by any fair criteria not in the top 3 boxers [ which is a minority participation sport] of all time.

As for McEnroe it is a joke. Somehow because he was a character his talent is exaggerated by 100 times . He was a good player but there have been many better. He actually had a relatively boring game. He was a serve volleyer who had, as a left hand -er a particularly difficult serve to handle. The only good matches I can remember him playing in ,were against the more fluent Borg.

Peter Charles, london, england

thorpe should be number one...jim brown second... and owens third...gretzky is a canuck and many other hockey players would be selected over him...armstrong ? a drug cheat... i think not...where is george foreman?

christopher lorenc, akron, ohio

As an avid American viewer and historian, I am a little surprised at some of the comments and lists regarding Michael Jordan. I guess there are a lot of Pistons fans here.

Any list that does not have Ruth, Ali and Jordan, in some order, as 1-2-3, is not reputable and/or completely biased. These three are head and shoulders above any athlete in American history in terms of mixing athletic ability, relevance and impact on society. It's not even close. The lists all contain great American athletes, but those three are revolutionary.

Eric Stratton, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

McEnroe over Sampras - no way. Not even close. Lance Armstrong ought not to be on the list - he beat cancer, but he also beat the drug testers - besides Greg leMond won 3, his last after being shot with a 12 gauge shotgun just a few months earlier. Eric Heiden was the Mark Spitz of speed skating an must be considered over Armstrong. Finally, Carl Lewis over Joe Montana. Football is too much of a team sport and Joe was arguably the second best player on his own team to the transcedant Jerry Rice.

Jason, Union , NJ

Gretzky was Canadian, but he married an American and took citizenship in 1988. So goes both ways. He is still a freak and "The Great One" though.

Jason, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

i'll stick with the one person per sport format. i agree with ruth, armstrong, king and spitz. joe louis was much more dominant in boxing than ali. carl lewis is clearly the greatest track and field athlete in us history (with jim thorpe second). sampras over mcenroe in men's tennis. most nfl historians would suggest either john unitas or jim brown in american football. i'd go with brown. tiger wins as often as nicklaus did even though the competition now is truly wordwide as compared to nicklaus' era.

jordan (basketball) was great. but, he was protected by the referees and usually got favorable calls. wilt chamberlain, never got the calls and actually had a number of rules written to stop him. to me, the true test of greatness is when they have to change the rules to make the game competitive. wilt was also a 7 foot high jumper, a world class volleyball player and the strongest man in the nba. in my view the greatest all around athlete america has ever produced.

barry, kansas city, usa

Apologies to fans of American Football, but it is not a subject I am versed in, but, here's my two cents -

1. Muhammad Ali (tops if not just for sheer charisma).
2. Michael Jordan (he was the money man).
3. Babe Ruth (talk baseball, you talk the Babe).
4. Jack Nicklaus (he's still a mile in front of Woods for Majors).
5. Wayne Gretzky (freak, enough said).
6. Carl Lewis (the greatest Olympian so far, smooth as silk and quick to boot).
7. Jim Thorpe (the greatest all-rounder bar none).
8. Lance Armstrong (I defy anyone to beat testicular cancer then win 7 Tour de France).
9. Jesse Owens (the original Carl Lewis - see above).
10. Babe Diedrikson (the female Jim Thorpe).

Apologies to Tiger Woods, (who will be way up there at the end of his career), Rocky Marciano, Mark Spitz, Pete Sampras, Billie-Jean King, Joe Louis, Michael Phelps, (who may finish up number one), Michael Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Janet Evans, Julius Earving, Joe DiMaggio, and, Little ¨Mo' Connolly .

Peter, Melbourne, Australia

Ali is not only the greatest American sport profile,but the greatest in the history of sports! No other athlete has had such an impact., or erased boundaries and built bridges the way he has. And that is the greatest outcome of sport, to be a driving force to improve society. Ali fought against racism and was a major driving force in the fight for equality.

Besides, Rumble in the jungle is the single greatest moment in the history of sport! You don't believe me? Watch the Oscarwinning masterpiece We were kings!

Aarya, Gothenburg, Sweden

Gretzky is CANADIAN!

Chris, GBG, Sweden

The Great One - Wayne Gretzky

Olly, london,

Johnny U has to be on the list. And Jim Brown must be close. Both mean more to the USA, mean more to football, and were better players than Joe Montana.
Carl Lewis was a favourite of mine, but I also cannot argue with Jessie Owens' selection.
Bob Beamon maybe does not deserve a top 10 spot, but deserves a mention nonetheless for setting a World record in 1968 that stood for 23 years. Only once to this date has it been bettered. It is still the Olympic record.
And Michael Johnson's 200 metres was incredible. Despite the regular advances made in sprinting and the continuous improvement of times, I don't see his record being matched for many years.

Campbell, Livingston, Scotland

At the turn of the millenium, ESPN's list had the following North Americans, noting that Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods had not emerged at that point:
1. Michael Jordan (basketball)
2. Babe Ruth (baseball)
3. Muhammad Ali (boxing)
4. Jim Brown (American football)
5. Wayne Gretzky (ice hockey)
6. Jesse Owens (athletics)
7. Jim Thorpe (athletics, baseball, American football)
8. Willie Mays (baseball)
9. Jack Nicklaus (golf)
10. Babe Didrikson (golf, basketball, athletics)

(note that 11th/10th American was Joe Louis (boxing))

Its interesting to note the sports a fellow Brit saw as important (swimming, tennis, cycling), compared to baseball, boxing, and hockey which ESPN picked.
As a prior commenter noted - aside from Owens and Ruth, the original list are all from late 60s on, while ESPNs list spans from the 1910s, 30s, 50s and on - TV has a huge effect...

Kenneth, Glasgow,

Jerry "The GOAT'" Rice
Owns every receiving and scoring record in the NFL, and was still better than players half his age when he retired.

These arguements can go on for years, ideally you need a top 50.

Steve, Telford, UK

Sugar Ray Robinson. Nuff said.

Obi Kwan, Newcastle,

AS a follower of sport , I regret that Bobby Fisher has not been included in the list.
He single handedly took on the Russians and proved a point for America during the coldwar.
To date no player in the world has come close to him in dominating the game.

sam, bangalore,

Vince Lombardi has to be included - although not an athlete he is one the greatest sportsman of all time and his philosophy will live on in sport for as long as sport exists.

Terence Hastie, Cheshire, UK

While your list is a good one, you are missing the obvious number one choice. Jackie Robinson changed American society and made the modern American civil rights movement possible. Without a Jackie there could not have been a Martin Luther King.

Jennifer Cox, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

To those who don't know who Jim Thorpe is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thorpe

Joe , Sand Springs, Oklahoma

If you separate the sports with one athlete to each it isn't the Top Ten, merely the best in TenSports. My Top Ten:

1. Jim Thorpe

2. "Sugar Ray" Robinson

3. Oscar Robertson

4. Jim Brown

5. Joe DiMaggio

6. Pete Sampras

7. Lance Armstrong

8. Rafer Johnson

9. Josh Gibson

10. Sammy Baugh

Michael P. Bernosky, Boalsburg, PA, USA

I do not believe this list, as an american who watches a lot of sports and sees himself as an ameuture sports historian, I have to say that a lot of your chioces quite frankly do not belong on that list. I mean, jordan? personality an a weekend league do not a legend make, Dr. J would have ran rings around him. Joe Montana? I don't think so, he was as much a product of the system as anything else, besides he crossed the picket line and that in my mind disqualifies him from any consideration. Lance Armstrong has questions about substance abuse. John McEnroe certainly belongs.

MY top ten
1. Babe Ruth
2. Jim Brown
3. Ali
4. Wilt Chamberlian
5. Dr. J
6. Joe Dimaggio
7. Willie Mays
8. Ted Williams
9. Jesse Owens
10. Jim Thorpe

Joe Cooter, Syracuse, NY, USA

Interestingly, eight out of the ten are still alive. I assume that few athletes were very good before about 1960.

Also, sports such as golf and tennis depend almost entirely on the talent of an individual athlete. Team sports do not. How good would Joe Montana have been without team mates like Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Jack Reynolds or Russ Francis? That said, Montana's greatest achievement was probably not with the talent laden San Francisco 49ers, but in almost taking the mediocre Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl.

How about the (today) virtually unknown Josh Gibson instead of Ruth? Gibson never played major league base ball because he was black. Come to think of it, I'd put Jackie Robinson somewhere at the top of my list for his impact on all American sports.

Oh, I notice nine of the ten are males. How about Althea Gibson, "Little Mo" Connolly or Babe Zaharias?

Bob Hutchinson, Foster City, California

I must agree with Derek. How McEnroe qualify's for this list is just plain silly. Sampras is at the top of the American mens tennis list - and there is no debate on that point. Just ask McEnroe and he'll give you the same answer.

However, of all the sporting achievements Lance Armstrong's is the greatest - including Clay/Ali. He's the real number 1 on this list.

Pat Hanlon, Brussels, Belgium

A list with too many tennis players. Billie -Jeane King can maybe scrape in at 10, but to have John McEnroe and no Tiger Woods is laughable. Don't get me wrong he did have a period when he was 1 of the best players in the world, but when you have player like Agassi & Sampras that were better players in the same sport, then you shouldn't be on the list of American greats for shouting a lot. Michael Jordan is far too low down the list. Jordan was not only the greatest attacking player of all time he was the 1 of the greatest defensive players of all time. That was unheard of in the sport before him. That is like have Pele & Baresi in 1 man. Jordan was basketball & everyone around the world knew him & brought people to basketball like no other player. If you ask Americans they would certainly rate Jordan higher than Montana & would probably be challenging Ali for the top spot. Babe Ruth was baseballs biggest ever star, but Jordan should be 3rd due to his gobal appeal.

Derek, London, UK

I miss Carl Lewis

Peter, ljubljana, slovenia

How do you not have Bill Russell on this list? He won the NCAA's, Olympic Gold Medal, 11 NBA Championships, 5 MVP's. Mr. Russell was clearly the greatest team player in the history of North American sports. He just won! And you don't have him on your list? And where is Jim Brown?

Ward Kirkwood, Taunton, MA

Carl Lewis is the greatest Track and Field athlete of all time

Perry, Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago

To put Jessie Owens above Jordan and Babe Ruth is patently ridiculous. Jessie Owens ? Why not Jim Thorpe or Babe Dietrich ?

First, Ruth was the greatest player in the greatest American game, so by default he must go to 1 or 1A, with Ali. After that, nobody touches Jordan for sheer domination of his sport over a sustained period of time. Montana is not close to Jordan, so that order is backwards. If you've ever watched a Bulls' game and NBA basketball at its zenith, in the 1990's, you should know what I mean.

Scott M, Tampa, Florida

The problem with comparing Roger Staubach to Joe Montana is that Montana never lost a Super Bowl and and won four. In addition he retired near the very top in every statistical category that matters as a QB. I can see being upset at say Johnny Unitas not being on the list. But Montana clearly overshadows Staubach.

panama, Atlanta, USA/Georgia

How about Edwin Moses, the 400-meter hurdles runner? It was impossible to beat him during several years (9 y, 9 months and 9 days) wherever he run. I really admire him, and he was always such a model person to everybody who enjoys athletics. He was the first recipient of USA Track & Field's "Jesse Owens Award" as outstanding U.S. male track and field performer.

Enrique Beltran, Brussels, Belgium

Opinions DEFINITELY vary. I don't know about "passing" and "rushing" stat-wise, but what about, in MY humble opinion, the epitome of the (sometimes now nostalgic) American spirit, "Captain Comeback," Roger Staubach, of the 70's Dallas Cowboys!?

Also known as "Roger the Dodger," Staubach might not've had Joe Montana's STATS, but his "coolness under pressure" was the envy of all, and even Steve Young, Montana's successor in the position, openly admitted that he "always admired and WANTED to be Roger Staubach!"
Even though the "Steel Curtain" Pittsburgh Steelers DOMINATED four Super Bowls in the 70's, including TWO victories against the Cowboys that were admittedly close games and down to the wire, Roger Staubach was the one for Dallas that MADE it a game!

Yes, Joe Montana is GREAT, but so was Roger the Dodger. And as far as we all know, his moral character and off-field behavior was MODEL behavior for any mortal man with a wife and family, and teammates like he had.

Paul A. Yemma, Pocahontas, U.S.A./Arkansas

What about other boxers like Sugar Ray Robinson - the best ever, Joe Louis - heavyweight champ for over 11 years, Jack Johnson - the first black heavyweight champ or Jack Dempsey - the first $million dollar gate? Basketball? What about Wilt Chamberlain, , Magic Johnson & Larry Bird or even The Harlem Globetrotters? Tennis players like Arthur Ashe, Venus & Serena Williams and Pete Sampras?Athletes like Micheal Johnson & Ed Moses? What about Tiger Woods?

Den Broon, Wirral, England