Best of British: Sports Personalities
It's the Diamond Jubilee this weekend! We celebrate the Queen's reign by looking at the greatest sports stars this nation has produced
1. David Beckham
A man that needs no introduction, David Beckham is arguably the most famous sportsman of them all. He played for Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as captaining his country, for whom he received 115 caps and scored 17 goals. David Beckham is a true icon.
2. Linford Christie
Lightning fast Linford Christie is the only British man to have won gold medals in the 100 metres at all four major competitions open to British athletes: the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
3. England World Cup Winners
In 1966, England won their first ever football World Cup, and it remains their only one. Captain Bobby Moore led the side to greatness, with Sir Geoff Hurst netting an unforgettable hat trick in the final, a 4-2 win against West Germany.
4. Sir Steve Redgrave
Sir Steve Redgrave is a retired English rower who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000 as well as a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Games. He is one of the most successful sports personalities ever.
5. Joe Calzaghe
Welsh former boxer was WBO, IBF, WBC, WBA & The Ring Super Middleweight Champion and The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion. Calzaghe is the longest-reigning world champion in recent years, having held the WBO Super Middleweight title for over ten years and made 21 successful defenses.
6. Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton is the 2008 Formula One World Champion. Lewis is also the first driver of black heritage to win a major race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in any discipline.
7. Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker remains England's top scorer in the FIFA World Cup finals, with ten goals. The 51-year-old scored 48 goals for England in 80 appearances.
8. Ellen MacArthur
In 2005, Ellen MacArthur broke the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe, a feat which gained her international renown.
9. Ian Botham
Ian Botham is a former England cricketer widely regarded as one of the finest players the game has seen. He was a genuine all-rounder with 14 centuries and 383 wickets in Test cricket, and remains well-known by his nickname 'Beefy'.
10. Andy Murray
At just 25, Scottish tennis player Andy Murray is already regarded as one of the greatest talents the game has ever seen. Murray is currently ranked fourth in the world.
11. Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers the game of football has seen. The 70-year-old Scot has won a host of trophies in his 26 year tenure as manager of Manchester United.
12. Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs is a Welsh footballer who has been one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most loyal servants. The 38-year-old is the most decorated footballer in Premier League history, and has 64 caps for Wales, scoring 12 goals.
13. Dame Kelly Holmes
Dame Kelly Holmes won the gold medal at both the 800 and 1500 metres at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. She still holds the records over the 600, 800, 1000, and 1500 metres distances!
14. Sir Nick Faldo
Sir Nick Faldo was ranked the World No. 1 on the Official World Golf Rankings for a total of 98 weeks.
15. Paula Radcliffe
Paula Radcliffe is the current women's world record holder in the marathon with her time of 2:15:25 hours. Incredibly, Paula has won the London Marathon on three separate occasions.
16. Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards is a former triple jumper. Yet again, we can be proud that a Brit has held the world record in their event: Jonathan's 1995 effort has yet to be beaten.
17. Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish is a road racing cyclist. 'The UK needs to understand he’s the country’s greatest athlete,' reportedly said teammate David Millar. 'He is probably the greatest sprinter in the history of cycling.'
18. George Best
George Best, referred to as the 'fifth Beatle' for his mop-top hair do, is thought to be one of the most naturally gifted players to ever grace a football pitch.
19. Roy Hodgson
Current England football manager Roy Hodgson has already coached at club and international level in several countries.
20. Sir Steve Redgrave
Britain's greatest Olympian with gold medals in rowing at five successive games
21. Bernie Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone is one of the most powerful men in world sport, heading up the Formula One organisation.
22. Roger Federer
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer can claim to be the greatest his sport has ever seen, holding the Number One rank for over four years in a row.
23. John Terry
Footballer John Terry is captain of Chelsea and has captained England as well during his career.
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