June

[Sweder]

Heh heh . . . I suspected this might provoke some strong responses . . .
. . . but it's a fun debate and one which just about everyone on the planet holds an opinion on. Chances are no two top tens would be the same, which shows how a) difficult and b) redundant such polls tend to be.

Armstrong is right up there. Botham too, though some of his greatest exploits relied on support of lesser-sung heros such as Dilly and Willis. Ali is often touted as the all-time greatest and certainly in his pomp he shook the sporting world. I've always felt there was an unfair amount of sympathy in the broad support for him, as if the devastating after-shocks of his brutal contests should somehow elevate him above others. Is there a sort of global embarassment that we revelled in this natural force even as he destroyed himself for our entertainment? I know that won't go down too well with everyone but it certainly clouds my thinking on the subject. When We Were Kings remains just about my favorite sport-related film though; you couldn't make it up.

Paula Radcliff? I'm a big fan, not least because I know how tough it is to run as hard as you can for so long (whatever your ability). But hasn't Paula actually under achieved? Her marathon wins are impresive but her track record remains comparatively poor. There's a sorry tale of reasons and factors that stopped her from winning, not least in major meetings, but surely the true greats (like Armstrong) simply brush those aside to scoop the gold?

Maradona is a provocative pick yet he so often makes the top ten. I find it hard to separate the cheating drug-snorter from the midfield maestro who single-handedly grabbed the World Cup for his side. He once asked Shilton if he would have complained so bitterly if an England player had done the same to Argentina in that infamous match. Of course back then I don't think an England player would have thought of doing so; not so sure now. The Hand of God detracts from his second goal, as beautiful a piece of skill as you're likely to see and one worthy of winning any tournament.

Navratilova is woefully under-rated, or at least under-recognised for her astonishing longevity at the pinnacle of her sport. Nice call.