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[What's Burning?]

Just thought it would be an interesting topic of discussion since we can even relate it to our beloved sport.

Over the years we've witnessed dominant athletes. Dominant in their respective sports... what I'd love to discuss given the fact that we've got a relatively global membership here is who we think rises above it all. So the greatest athlete amongst great athletes.

I'm looking for names and your reason as to why... Tiger? Ali? Pele? Schumacher? Meckrx? Jordan?

So my hat in the ring would go to, .....Michael Phelps.

Not only did he dominate his sport in the previous Olympics but he did it measurably, with each of the events he won being world records and a monster of a performance under immense pressure in an global stage! In my opinion the most dominant performance ever seen in any sporting event. Because of the extreme physical conditioning required in swimming, I don't think he'll be able to give the world a repeat in the London games next year at least in the relays, but I wouldn't doubt his potential to once again show his dominance in the individual events he chooses.

[FRAFPDD]

Not an F1 driver, has to encompass more then just hard work at getting a good race seat and natural talent, athletes dedicate blood sweat and tears,


my personal choice, Muhammed Ali, dont really need to expand on that.

[bud]

Fraf I think you underestimate how fit F1 drivers have to be....

I don't think you can say one sportsman is the greatest when you're comparing to other sports. Illogical from my point of view. Though if I were forced to make a choice it would be Michael Jordan.

[vlad]

Bolt is the newest case of domination!

[What's Burning?]

Not an F1 driver, has to encompass more then just hard work at getting a good race seat and natural talent, athletes dedicate blood sweat and tears,


my personal choice, Muhammed Ali, dont really need to expand on that.

I agree, that the choice should encompass a transcendence of the sport itself. Making that blood sweat and tears look easy, making their performance seem effortless, entertaining to watch, marveling as the athletic ability.

Making it to the list is of candidates will be a feat in itself, let a lone the one that rises to the top of that list.

[scotty]

I'm perhaps slightly biased here as i used to sprint at school, but holy crap, Usain Bolt is probably the greatest natural athlete on the planet right now. It is quite staggering to see someone turn up and smash records quite literally at a canter. That said Michael Johnson is the best all time track sprinter in my eyes. I find it harder to compare different eras in other sports though...

[What's Burning?]

I don't think you can say one sportsman is the greatest when you're comparing to other sports. Illogical from my point of view.

I think we can only evaluate them within their sport, and then compare the impact they made in that sport to the impact made by another athlete in another sport. Wow factor counts, it's intangible but it certainly counts.

[What's Burning?]

I'm perhaps slightly biased here as i used to sprint at school, but holy crap, Usain Bolt is probably the greatest natural athlete on the planet right now. It is quite staggering to see someone turn up and smash records quite literally at a canter. That said Michael Johnson is the best all time track sprinter in my eyes. I find it harder to compare different eras in other sports though...

I get your point and agree that the seemingly effortless performance is staggering, given the chunk of time he took off of a WR. You being biased to sprinters is understandable, we're all going to have our bias. However his performance is limited to two events. Have him run the 400 and then 800 and the hurdles and throw in the long jump and you've got an equivalent Michael Phelps performance.

[FRAFPDD]

Fraf I think you underestimate how fit F1 drivers have to be....

I don't think you can say one sportsman is the greatest when you're comparing to other sports. Illogical from my point of view. Though if I were forced to make a choice it would be Michael Jordan.

The greatest athelete that ever lived is NOT a Formula One Driver.Your preaching to the wrong guy given we're on an F1 forum and are keen F1 fans. I know the work they put in, it does not touch what this man below achieved.


Heres why i say Muhammed Ali.

Total fights 61, wins 56. 37 knockout.

Refused to be drafted into the US military whilst also being a black man in the midst of social unrest amongst blacks in america. Was stripped of all his titles and didnt box for four years before WINNING a long battle against the supreme court to get his rightful titles back. Grew up in a rough neighbourhood in Louisille, Kentucky. " i aint got no probelm with them viet cong, they aint callin' me n*gger"

He threw his Olympic Medal into the Ohio River after being refused service in a whites only restaurant despite winning gold for his country.

Single handedly invented and developed the trash talk before boxing bouts. Mainly cause he was so good he could back it up.(not really important but still a point)

In retirement travelled to Iraq to negotiate US prisoner release.

Has an estimated 22 million years provided for the poor in his name. Spends 200 days a year on average on humanitarian missions.



The fact he is the greatest heavyweight boxer is enough to justify it let alone the rest.

[bud]

I disagree

[What's Burning?]

I disagree

Which part, about Ali or about F1?

[FRAFPDD]

I disagree

your more then entitled to! Thats the beauty of it!

[bud]

I disagree

Which part, about Ali or about F1?

Yeah I think they are on par with any other sport in terms of fitness required! No unfit Joe bloggs would last 1 lap let alone a grand prix!

[FRAFPDD]

I disagree

Which part, about Ali or about F1?

Yeah I think they are on par with any other sport in terms of fitness required! No unfit Joe bloggs would last 1 lap let alone a grand prix!

Im sure you dont, but you sound like fitness is the one single factor in determining our answer to the thread question bud? All youve mentioned in your defence, or rather your criticism of my idea is fitness?

[What's Burning?]

I'm never going to discount the level of fitness required to competitively run an F1 car, but I don't think fitness is a F1 driver's greatest asset. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that not a single F1 driver would climb Alpe d'Huez in under 40 minutes.