Who would be your choice of Greatest Olympian ?

[derekpara]

There's been some discussion on Radio 4 today as to whether Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian of all time ( 19 Olympic Medals). Lord Coe didn't seem to agree, but did not name his choice. Who would be yours ?

Mine would be Jesse Owens (1936 Olympics)

Cheers.

D

[craft1948]

Emil Zatopek was known to be one of the greatest runners of the 20th century. Emil became recognized by all and famous when he won the 5000m, 10000m and the marathon at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki

[MoonRocker]

no contest, Sir Steve, 5 golds over 20 years top of the sport for most of a generation. Others have more golds but not over so long a period. The only guy that comes close is a fencer who won 6 in a row but I'd say rowing is a much harder sport to do 5 in a row. PS I wrote this before I read the other answers!

[MoonRocker]

jake Redgrave won gold in FIVE olympics not three

[MoonRocker]

....and Geravich was a fencer, hard..ish but not in the same league as rowing.
Anyway all the above are greats.

[Mick-Talbot]

Surely, Carl Lewis is above Jesse Owens ?

[emmie]

Sir Steve Redgrave, probably the greatest athlete who ever lived. His record is phenomenal

Olympic Games
Gold 1984 Los Angeles Coxed Four
Bronze 1988 Seoul Coxed Pair
Gold 1988 Seoul Coxless Pair
Gold 1992 Barcelona Coxless Pair
Gold 1996 Atlanta Coxless Pair
Gold 2000 Sydney Coxless Four
World Championships
Gold 1986 Nottingham Coxed Pair
Silver 1987 Copenhagen Coxed Pair
Gold 1987 Copenhagen Coxless Pair
Silver 1989 Bled Coxless Pair
Bronze 1990 Tasmania Coxless Pair
Gold 1991 Vienna Coxless Pair
Gold 1993 Račice Coxless Pair
Gold 1994 Indianapolis Coxless Pair
Gold 1995 Tampere Coxless Pair
Gold 1997 Aiguebelette Coxless Four
Gold 1998 Cologne Coxless Four
Gold 1999 St. Catharines Coxless Four
Competitor for England
Commonwealth Games
Gold 1986 Edinburgh Single Sculls
Gold 1986 Edinburgh Coxless Pair
Gold 1986 Edinburgh

[emmie]

all that achievement alongside having serious illnesses.

[Hopkirk]

I still get pleasure watching Olga.

(The bars seem closer together than they are now though)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZYPcdj_wn4

[mightyWBA]

Phelps

[jake-the-peg]

You really dont read other peoples posts do you moonrocker - yes sorry 5 not 3

And I'm sure rowing is physically more demanding - but remember too that Gerevich was 50 when he won that last Gold in Rome! Redgrave was 38 when he won at Sydney.

// In the Hungarian Olympic trials for the 1960 Rome Olympics, the fencing committee told Gerevich that he was too old to compete. He silenced them by challenging the entire sabre team to individual matches and winning every match.//

[Ric.ror]

I agree with Em10 and all the Sir Steve Redgrave supporters

[Kiki-frog]

I think I'd stick with Phelps. A fantastic swimmer across all the disciplines. He also comes across as well mannered, modest and likeable.

[Canary42]

The greatest Olympian ?

Athene gets my vote.

[mightyWBA]

20 for Phelps now
How many more before folks agree?

[Mick-Talbot]

add another gold for Phelps

[lcg]

phelps....20 now and still going. truly amazing.

[ELVIS68]

Daley Thompson

[Mick-Talbot]

Not one of your better jokes that one , Elvis.

[ELVIS68]

Fosters off mick ;o)

[Mick-Talbot]

Jack of all trades .......