World of Sport
Sport > World > Lists > All Time Greatest > Track and FieldWho is the All-Time Greatest from Track & Field?
We are compiling a list of the greatest athletes from the sport of track and field, which will then be voted on and the winner placed on the shortlist of the all time greatest athlete ever (all sports). The first stage is to get nominations for track and field before the vote is started. See the current list below of top athletes, compiled using other published lists and visitor feedback. See the IAAF Hall of Fame for another list of greatest athletes of all time. If you believe that there is someone missing from this list, please place a comment below, including any relevant details about the person.
Athletics (Track & Field) Greatest
The athletes below are listed alphabetical order - once the shortlist is complete then you will be able to vote for who you think is the greatest of all. This list can include both male and female athletes. This list is not complete - if you know of someone who should be listed here, let us know using the comment form below.
| name | notes |
|---|---|
| Abebe Bikila | Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From Ethiopia |
| Adhemar da Silva | Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From Brazil |
| Al Oerter | Discus thrower. Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From the USA. |
| Babe Didrikson-Zaharias | |
| Betty Cuthbert | Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From Australia |
| Bob Beamon | long jumper |
| Bruce Jenner | Decathlete, the the USA. |
| Carl Lewis | Long Jump and 100m specialist. Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From the USA |
| Edwin Moses | 400m Hurdles. Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From the USA |
| Emil Zatopek | Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From Czechoslovakia |
| Fanny Blankers-Koen | Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From the Netherlands |
| Florence Griffith-Joyner ("Flo-Jo") | |
| Haile Gebrselassie | |
| Irena Szewinska | Poland |
| Jackie Joyner-Kersee | Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From the USA |
| Sprints, Long Jump. Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From the USA | |
| Jim Thorpe | |
| Lasse Viren | Finland |
| Michael Johnson | 200m / 400m |
| Paavo Nurmi | Distance runner. Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From Finland |
| Ray Ewry | USA |
| Sergei Bubka | Russian Pole Vaulter |
| Shirley Strickland | Australia |
| Usian Bolt | Sprints |
| Ville Ritola | Finland |
| Wang Junxia | Named in the IAAF Hall of Fame. From China |
Comments
- Hi, I think you missed some great names of male T&F athletes (from Pesho, Dec 2011). I suggest these athletes should be surely included in your list. Moreover you could think about Sebastien Coe, Wilson Kipketer, Jeremy Wariner, Juergen Schult, Virgilijus Alekna, Randy Barnes, Sergey Litvinov, Viktor Saneyev, Roman Sebrle, Mike Powell:
- Jan Zelezny - 3 Olympic titles, 3 world titles, total of 9 medals from major championships (olympic and world). He is world record holders for more than 18 years and he holds the 5 best javelin throws in the history
- Kenenisa Bekele - currently the biggest long distance runs star. He is world record holder since 2004 in both 5000 and 10000m. Bekele is the only athlete with doubles 5000-10000m at Olympic Games and World championship. With 8 major track titles and more than 10 cross country gold medals, the Ethiopean is the most dominant long distance runner of XXI century.
- Yuriy Sedikh - Olympic champion in 1976 and 1980 plus bronze medal 1988, additionally world champ gold medal in 1991 in hammer throw. In 1984 he missed the Los Angeled Olympics due to the politial boycott, however in the same year he set one of his 6 world records. Sedikh is world record holder since then.
- Hicham El Guerrouj - between 1997 and 2004, he lost only one major championship at 1500m - in 2000 Sydeny Olympics. However he took his revenge 4 years later in Athens when he won double 1500-5000m,achievemnt not accomplished since 1924. World record holder at 1500m and a mile for more than a decade, and his records might stay at least one more decade.
- Javier Sotomayor - his high jump world record is unbeatable for more than 23 years.Definetely the best high jumper of all times. He is Olympic champion and two time world champion plus 3 more silver medalist at Olympic and World championships.
- Jonathan Edwards - the first man over 18m in triple jump. His records stays since 1995. Edwards won a total of 7 medals from Olympics and World champs, incl. Olympic gold medal in 2000 and two world gold medals in 1995 and 2001.
- Greatest female athlete of all time! We miss her! is Flo jo [Florence Grifth Joyner] I love her! She is not doped and no medical evidence have ever traced to her doping. She is the greatest athlete! Vote for Flo jo pls! I am from Ethiopia and there are a lot of Ethiopians who have performed a lot in different competitions, but I am crazy after this late athlete! Let the lord rest her soul in peace! We love her!!!!! (from thomas, Aug 2011)
- Left out Leonidas of Rhodes, won all 3 foot races in 4 straight Olympics. (from Stu Goodgold, July 2011)
Send a Comment
Related Pages
- See the IAAF Hall of Fame for another list of greatest athletes of all time.
- more about track and field
- all time greatest index of sports
- other sport specific lists
- more about the World of Sport