The 21st century has been a remarkable era for sports, showcasing extraordinary talent across various disciplines. Athletes have not only redefined the limits of human performance but have also inspired millions around the globe. In this article, we present a comprehensive list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century, highlighting their achievements and contributions to their respective sports.
From record-breaking performances to iconic moments, these athletes have left an indelible mark on the sporting world. Our selection is based on various criteria, including career achievements, impact on the sport, and overall influence. The following sections will delve into the profiles of these extraordinary individuals, giving you a deeper insight into their journeys and successes.
Whether you are a fan of basketball, football, tennis, or athletics, this list aims to celebrate the diversity of talent in the sporting arena. So, let's embark on this journey and explore the top 100 athletes of the 21st century!
Table of Contents
- Criteria for Selection
- Top 100 Athletes
- Biographies of Selected Athletes
- Contributions to Sports
- Impact Beyond Sports
- Conclusion
- Sources
Criteria for Selection
The selection of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century was based on a combination of factors, including:
- Career Achievements: Titles, records, and personal milestones.
- Longevity: Duration of excellence in their respective sports.
- Impact on Sport: Influence on the game and contribution to its popularity.
- Charisma and Leadership: Ability to inspire teammates and fans alike.
- Global Recognition: Status and recognition beyond their home countries.
Top 100 Athletes of the 21st Century
Here is the list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century, in no particular order:
- Michael Phelps - Swimming
- Serena Williams - Tennis
- Tom Brady - American Football
- Usain Bolt - Athletics
- LeBron James - Basketball
- Roger Federer - Tennis
- Cristiano Ronaldo - Football
- Lionel Messi - Football
- Michael Jordan - Basketball
- Simone Biles - Gymnastics
- Novak Djokovic - Tennis
- Kobe Bryant - Basketball
- Stephen Curry - Basketball
- Rafael Nadal - Tennis
- Wayne Gretzky - Ice Hockey
- Michael Schumacher - Formula 1
- Andy Murray - Tennis
- Shane Warne - Cricket
- Kevin Durant - Basketball
- David Beckham - Football
- Usain Bolt - Athletics
- Saquon Barkley - American Football
- Maria Sharapova - Tennis
- Fernando Alonso - Formula 1
- Peyton Manning - American Football
- Allyson Felix - Athletics
- Serena Williams - Tennis
- Becky Lynch - Wrestling
- Virat Kohli - Cricket
- Tom Brady - American Football
- Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball
- Brett Favre - American Football
- Annika Sörenstam - Golf
- Jackie Robinson - Baseball
- Gretzky - Ice Hockey
- Billie Jean King - Tennis
- Jason Day - Golf
- Chris Gayle - Cricket
- Russell Westbrook - Basketball
- Naomi Osaka - Tennis
- Danica Patrick - Motorsport
- Andre Agassi - Tennis
- Floyd Mayweather - Boxing
- Mike Tyson - Boxing
- Carli Lloyd - Football
- Ronda Rousey - MMA
- Stephen Hendry - Snooker
- Kimi Räikkönen - Formula 1
- Yao Ming - Basketball
- Tim Duncan - Basketball
- Maradona - Football
- Jesse Owens - Athletics
- Hakeem Olajuwon - Basketball
- Steffi Graf - Tennis
- Francesco Totti - Football
- Katrina Adams - Tennis
- Martina Navratilova - Tennis
- John Elway - American Football
- John Stockton - Basketball
- Lindsey Vonn - Alpine Skiing
- Usain Bolt - Athletics
- Hope Solo - Football
- Jimmie Johnson - Motorsport
- Carmelo Anthony - Basketball
- Maria Menounos - Sports Entertainment
- Jeff Gordon - Motorsport
- Brandi Chastain - Football
- Dwayne Wade - Basketball
- Gina Carano - MMA
- Wanda Sykes - Comedy/Athletics
- Rafael Marquez - Football
- Oksana Chusovitina - Gymnastics
- Dan Carter - Rugby
- Khalid Al-Falih - Athletics
- Jordan Spieth - Golf
- Russell Wilson - American Football
- David Villa - Football
- Kevin Love - Basketball
- Marat Safin - Tennis
- Roberto Carlos - Football
- Michael Vick - American Football
- Jesse Lingard - Football
- Michael Clarke - Cricket
- David Ortiz - Baseball
- Ricky Ponting - Cricket
- Rory McIlroy - Golf
- Anna Kournikova - Tennis
- Vince Carter - Basketball
- Patrice Bergeron - Ice Hockey
- Samuel Eto'o - Football
- Roger Federer - Tennis
- Francesca Schiavone - Tennis
- Jürgen Klinsmann - Football
- Dirk Nowitzki - Basketball
- Patrick Mahomes - American Football
- LeBron James - Basketball
Biographies of Selected Athletes
Below are brief biographies of some of the top athletes on our list:
Michael Phelps
Name | Michael Phelps |
---|---|
Sport | Swimming |
Date of Birth | June 30, 1985 |
Achievements | 23 Olympic Gold Medals |
Serena Williams
Name | Serena Williams |
---|---|
Sport | Tennis |
Date of Birth | September 26, 1981 |